Ghana’s ‘most wanted’ woman, Gifty Oware-Mensah, has returned to the country amid serious corruption allegations involving massive fraud at the National Service Authority (NSA), where she formerly served as Deputy Executive Director.
Mrs. Oware-Mensah arrived at Kotoka International Airport on Tuesday, with government investigators anticipating her appearance before the National Investigation Bureau (NIB) to answer questions about an alleged systematic payroll fraud scheme.
It comes after weeks of speculation that the owner of Berry Ladies Football Club has absconded to evade mounting financial and legal pressures related to the nationwide corruption investigation as the government announced an extensive extradition process to bring key suspects back to Ghana, following reports that some individuals sought to evade justice by fleeing the country.
In his first State of the Nation Address (SONA 2025) on Thursday, President John Mahama declared that some suspects have absconded the country, directing that they be declared wanted, with their assets traced and frozen until investigations are completed, saying “such brazen theft of public funds must not go unpunished”.
The government claims to have uncovered a massive discrepancy in the National Service payroll, with 81,885 suspected ghost names identified. Official figures reveal 98,145 active service personnel, dramatically contrasting with the 180,030 names submitted for allowance payments in 2024.
Detailed forensic analysis suggests that the payroll manipulation has been ongoing for an extended period, though the exact duration remains under investigation.
Preliminary findings, however, indicate that the fraudulent scheme potentially dates back several years, with the monthly financial impact estimated at a staggering GH₵50 million.
Earlier reports had suggested that Oware-Mensah was fulfilling her duties with the Black Queens Management Committee during their training tour in Morocco and was expected to return to Ghana with the team at the end of the tour.
She was not arrested upon arrival, despite earlier expectations from law enforcement agencies. According to Hon. Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the leader of the NPP Minority Caucus in Parliament, Mrs. Oware-Mensah would be visiting the NIB with her lawyers to answer questions about the alleged scandal.
The alleged payroll fraud is reported to have systematically exploited the National Service Scheme’s administrative processes. As the former Deputy Executive Director responsible for administration and finance, Mrs. Oware-Mensah is expected to be a key witness in the ongoing investigations.
The NIB has already taken significant steps in its investigation, having detained and questioned Kwaku Ohene Djan, another former Deputy Executive Director of the National Service Authority. This suggests a systematic approach to unravelling the complex web of alleged financial misconduct.
Legal experts suggest that the scale of the alleged fraud could potentially lead to criminal charges, with implications not just for individual actors but for broader governance structures within national service administration.
The fallout from this investigation extends beyond financial implications. It raises critical questions about accountability, transparency, and the potential systemic vulnerabilities within Ghana’s public sector institutions.
Representatives from the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) have confirmed that Mrs. Oware-Mensah will present herself to the NIB with legal representation to address the mounting allegations.
The government has announced comprehensive reforms to the National Service Scheme, including the introduction of a new military training programme and the preparation of legislative instruments to reinforce the National Service Authorities Act. These reforms, according to the president, aim to prevent future instances of financial misconduct and strengthen institutional oversight, which will instill a sense of fitness and discipline in the youth.
Many Ghanaians have, however, called for thorough and transparent proceedings to restore faith in public institutions, as the case has captured national attention.
