Gifty Oware-Mensah ready to face NIB over alleged NSA payroll scandal

Former Deputy Executive Director of the National Service Authority (NSA), Gifty Oware-Mensah, is set to appear before the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) over allegations of adding over 80,000 ghost names to the Authority’s payroll.

This was confirmed by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who stated that Madam Oware-Mensah had returned to Ghana and was prepared to cooperate with investigators.

Speaking to the media, Mr Afenyo-Markin, who is also a private legal practitioner, revealed that the former NSA deputy director would soon meet with the NIB, accompanied by her legal representatives.

“I am aware that Gifty arrived this afternoon. I have been in touch with her; she’s here in Ghana. Her lawyers are in contact with the National Investigation Bureau, and I am sure she is going to make herself available. Whatever the state investigation authorities have, they would proceed within due process,” he said.

The NIB has already commenced investigations into the matter, with Mr Ohene Gyan, a former Deputy Director of Operations at the NSA, already questioned.

During his State of the Nation Address on February 27, 2025, President John Dramani Mahama urged security agencies to place individuals accused of corruption-related offences on a “wanted list.”

While acknowledging the government’s right to investigate past officials, Mr Afenyo-Markin stressed that the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) supports accountability, provided it follows due legal processes.

“My view is that the NPP is not against accountability, me inclusive. We have been in public service, we are out of it, so obviously if the new government needs former officials to explain certain matters in one way or the other, it is in their right to do so,” he remarked.

Meanwhile, the NPP Deputy General Secretary, Haruna Mohammed, has refuted claims that Madam Oware-Mensah fled the country to evade investigation.

In an interview with Joy News, Mr Mohammed clarified that she had been on official duty abroad, which accounted for her absence.

He also urged the public to exercise caution in passing judgment, emphasising that the accusations remain unproven.

“I would like to state the fact that the allegation of fraud remains an allegation. This is an established fact that has been publicly said at the National Service Authority. This is an allegation which has not been proven,” he stated.