Gifty Oware-Mensah, former Deputy Executive Director of the National Service Authority (NSA), is scheduled to appear before the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) to address allegations of adding over 80,000 ghost names to the Authority’s payroll. This confirmation comes from Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who also serves as a private legal practitioner. He stated that Ms. Oware-Mensah has returned to Ghana and is prepared to cooperate fully with the investigation.
Mr. Afenyo-Markin revealed that Ms. Oware-Mensah will be accompanied by her legal representatives during her meeting with the NIB. He emphasized that the investigation will adhere to due legal process, stating, “Whatever the state investigation authorities have, they would proceed within due process.” The NIB's investigation is already underway, with Mr. Ohene Gyan, a former Deputy Director of Operations at the NSA, having already been questioned.
This investigation follows President John Dramani Mahama's February 27, 2025, State of the Nation Address, where he urged security agencies to place individuals accused of corruption-related offences on a “wanted list.”
While affirming the government's right to investigate past officials, Mr. Afenyo-Markin underscored the opposition New Patriotic Party's (NPP) commitment to accountability within the bounds of the law. He stated, “My view is that the NPP is not against accountability… if the new government needs former officials to explain certain matters… it is in their right to do so.”
The NPP's Deputy General Secretary, Haruna Mohammed, has refuted claims that Ms. Oware-Mensah fled the country to avoid the investigation. In an interview with Joy News, Mr. Mohammed clarified that her absence was due to official duties abroad. He urged the public to avoid premature judgment, emphasizing that the accusations remain unproven: “I would like to state the fact that the allegation of fraud remains an allegation… This is an allegation which has not been proven.”
The situation remains highly sensitive, with the NIB's investigation expected to shed further light on the allegations against Ms. Oware-Mensah. The outcome will likely have significant implications for both the NSA and the broader political landscape.
