A key suspect in an alleged Gh₵548 million fraud scheme involving ghost names and embezzled funds is Gifty Oware-Mensah, a former Deputy Executive Director of the National Service Authority (NSA) and Executive Council member of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), according to Attorney General (A-G) and Minister for Justice Dr. Dominic Ayine.
During a news briefing today, June 13, 2025, Dr. Ayine presented the results of the Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) inquiry.
The A-G claims that Oware-Mensah planned a convoluted scheme to obtain a loan of Gh₵30.6 million from the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) on false pretenses.
She allegedly registered Blocks of Life Consult without the knowledge of its alleged directors, including her husband, attorney Peter Mensah.
The loan was transferred into private accounts when it was supposed to provide equipment to national service members.
“Suspect Gifty Oware-Mensah used 9,934 ghost names to misappropriate these funds; she transferred Gh₵22.9 million to AMAECOM, a company she directs, and additional sums to entities linked to other suspects,” the A-G stated.
The Fourth Estate, an investigative publication, was the first to reveal the scandal, which included collaboration with vendors, inflated budgets, and falsified payroll data.
Gh₵350 million was taken in the 2022–2023 service year alone, while Gh₵548 million was lost across the six-year period (2018–2024).
Twelve NSA officers and eight suppliers, including Oware-Mensah, are charged with stealing, money laundering, and causing financial harm to the state.
The AG pointed out that certain vendors have agreed to testify in exchange for non-prosecution agreements.
In addition to vowing to retrieve stolen property, the A-G emphasized that “these acts undermine the NSA’s mission of fostering patriotism and discipline.”
Source: newsthemegh.com