In a significant development aimed at addressing corruption within public institutions, the Office of the Attorney-General has filed criminal charges against two former top executives of the National Service Authority (NSA). The charges involve allegations of financial misconduct and fraudulent schemes that have reportedly cost the state approximately GH¢653 million.
The accused individuals, Osei Assibey Antwi, the former Executive Director of the NSA, and Gifty Oware-Mensah, the former Deputy Executive Director, are alleged to have orchestrated separate schemes involving ghost personnel and fraudulent bank loans. The charges were formally filed in two separate court documents at the High Court in Accra.
Osei Assibey Antwi: The Alleged Mastermind Behind a GH¢615 Million Scheme
Osei Assibey Antwi, who served as the NSA's Executive Director, faces fourteen charges related to one of the most significant financial loss cases in recent history. Among the charges are causing financial loss to the Republic, stealing, and money laundering.
The most serious allegation against Mr. Antwi involves the authorization of allowance payments to over 60,000 non-existent national service personnel. This scheme allegedly resulted in a staggering financial loss of GH¢500,861,744.02. Additionally, he is accused of stealing GH¢8,256,000 on various occasions between August 2023 and May 2024.
Another troubling allegation concerns the misuse of funds allocated to the NSA's Kumawu Farm Project. Prosecutors allege that Mr. Antwi authorized the withdrawal of GH¢106 million from the project's account on five separate occasions without utilizing any of the funds for their intended purpose.
Furthermore, Mr. Antwi is accused of laundering GH¢8.26 million by transferring the stolen funds into his personal e-zwich account and knowingly taking possession of proceeds derived from criminal activities. The total value of offenses attributed to him amounts to approximately GH¢615,117,744.02.
Gifty Oware-Mensah: A Complex Scheme of Loan Fraud
Gifty Oware-Mensah, who held oversight responsibilities for the NSA's Finance and Procurement departments, faces five charges including Stealing, Willfully Causing Financial Loss, Using Public Office for Profit, and Money Laundering.
According to prosecutors, Oware-Mensah exploited the NSA's "marketplace" platform—a system intended to facilitate hire-purchase services for national service personnel. She is alleged to have created a list of 9,934 ghost names within the NSA's database and used this fabricated list to commit fraud.
The prosecution claims that Oware-Mensah took control of a private company, Blocks of Life Consult, and approached the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) under false pretenses. She allegedly claimed her company had provided goods to the ghost personnel and secured a loan from ADB using their non-existent allowances as collateral.
This fraudulent loan agreement between ADB and the NSA reportedly resulted in a disbursement of GH¢31.5 million directly into her company's account. Of this amount, over GH¢22.9 million was allegedly transferred to another company where she served as a director. No goods were ever supplied to any service personnel. With accrued interest included, her actions allegedly caused a total financial loss of GH¢38,458,248.87 to the state.
The Broader Implications
These cases underscore the urgent need for stronger oversight and accountability mechanisms within public institutions in Ghana. The alleged misconduct by these senior officials not only highlights vulnerabilities in financial management systems but also raises questions about governance and ethical standards within public service.
The charges brought against Osei Assibey Antwi and Gifty Oware-Mensah serve as a critical test for Ghana's justice system in its fight against corruption. As these cases proceed through the courts, they will undoubtedly be closely watched by citizens and stakeholders alike as a measure of the government's commitment to upholding transparency and accountability.
Conclusion
The magnitude of the alleged financial losses in this case is alarming and underscores the importance of safeguarding public resources. While these charges represent only allegations at this stage, they shed light on systemic challenges that must be addressed to prevent future occurrences.
As Ghana continues its efforts to combat corruption and promote good governance, it is imperative that justice is served and that public trust in state institutions is restored. The outcomes of these cases will likely have far-reaching implications for how corruption is tackled within the country moving forward.
-GhanaCrimes
