BTA2023 Gifty Oware-Mensah, the former Deputy Executive Director of Ghana’s National Service Scheme (NSS), returned to Accra on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, as scrutiny intensifies over her alleged involvement in a massive payroll fraud scandal.
Her arrival at Kotoka International Airport on Emirates Flight EK787 at 12:30 p.m. was confirmed by P.K. Sarpong, a member of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), who sought to dispel speculation that she had fled to evade investigations.
One of Ghana’s Largest Public Sector Fraud Cases
Oware-Mensah’s return follows a shocking audit that uncovered 81,885 ghost names on the NSS payroll, making it one of Ghana’s biggest public sector fraud cases in recent memory. The scandal erupted in February 2025 after investigative outlet The Fourth Estate revealed bizarre irregularities, including a 93-year-old listed as active service personnel and the name “Abubakar Fuseini” duplicated 226 times with identical credentials.
In response, President John Mahama swiftly directed the National Investigations Bureau (NIB) to probe the scheme, which assigns graduates to public institutions for national service.
Denial of Wrongdoing & Legal Response
Amid mounting allegations, Oware-Mensah’s legal team, Sarkodie Baffour Awuah and Partners, issued a statement on February 28, asserting that her recent international travel was merely a “brief post-election break” and had no connection to the investigation.
“Our client was born and bred in Ghana and has no intention of relocating,” the lawyers stated, adding that she is fully prepared to cooperate with authorities.
Meanwhile, the NSS has denied claims of systemic fraud, citing upgraded anti-corruption measures implemented since 2021.
Public Outrage and Calls for Accountability
The revelations have sparked widespread public outrage, with critics decrying the misuse of funds meant for youth development. Opposition leaders have condemned the scandal as a betrayal of Ghana’s future and are demanding full accountability.
As Oware-Mensah reenters the spotlight, her return will test the government’s resolve in fighting corruption—especially as Ghana continues to recover from its 2022 debt crisis. With the NIB’s findings still pending, the nation awaits answers—and justice—for a scheme that has further eroded public trust in governance.
