The arrest of former Deputy Executive Director of the National Service Scheme (NSS), Gifty Oware-Mensah, has intensified scrutiny into the NSS ghost name scandal, which allegedly involved payments to tens of thousands of nonexistent service personnel.
Oware-Mensah was taken into custody by the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) on Friday, March 7, 2025, amid an ongoing investigation into financial irregularities at the NSS. Reports indicate she has been denied bail and is being held at an undisclosed location, with her husband allegedly barred from visiting her.
Her arrest follows speculation about her whereabouts after a video emerged on February 4, 2025, showing her arrival at Kotoka International Airport. Sources suggest she had been in Morocco with the female national football team, in her role as Chairperson of the Management Committee, and had planned to return with the team to cooperate with authorities.
The NSS scandal, which involves allegations of unauthorized payments into the accounts of 81,885 ghost names, has raised significant concerns about accountability and financial mismanagement. Oware-Mensah’s detention adds a new dimension to the case, as questions arise about the evidence gathered against her and the next steps in the investigation.
Her legal team and supporters are expected to push for clarity on her detention and the broader implications of the probe, as the case continues to unfold.
