Gifty Oware Mensah, a former deputy executive director at Ghana’s National Service Authority, pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to charges related to an alleged GH¢38 million ($3 million) payroll fraud scheme involving fictitious government workers.

Prosecutors accuse Oware Mensah of creating nearly 10,000 fake national service personnel during her tenure, enabling the unauthorized disbursement of monthly allowances under fraudulent names. Authorities say the alleged scheme led to substantial financial losses for the state.

She was arraigned before the Accra High Court on five counts, including willfully causing financial loss to the state, stealing, money laundering, and abuse of office for personal gain.

The case is one of several recent prosecutions targeting public-sector corruption in Ghana, particularly within payroll systems, as the government steps up efforts to tighten financial controls across its institutions.

Bail Set at GH¢10 Million

Oware Mensah’s legal counsel, Nanabayin Ackon, argued for bail, citing her cooperation with investigators, fixed residence, and lack of flight risk. The court granted her bail at GH¢10 million, or approximately $770,000, with three sureties—two of whom must be justified under Ghanaian law.

As part of the bail conditions, the court ordered her to surrender all travel documents and report to police twice monthly while the case is ongoing.

The prosecution is expected to file full witness statements and supporting documentation ahead of the next hearing, scheduled for November 18.

Source:TheDotNews