The High Court in Accra has ordered former Deputy Executive Director of the National Service Authority (NSA), Gifty Oware-Mensah, to submit a list of her witnesses by January 27 in her trial over an alleged GH¢38 million financial loss linked to the NSA ghost names scandal.
Presiding judge, Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, warned the court would “advise itself” if Mrs Oware-Mensah failed to comply. The accused had previously ignored a December 22 court order to provide the list.
Her lawyer, Gary Nimako Marfo, argued that her witnesses depended on the prosecution’s evidence. Justice Kocuvie-Tay rejected this, emphasising that court orders are mandatory and cannot be selectively obeyed.
Mrs Oware-Mensah was granted GH¢10 million bail on October 25 after pleading not guilty to charges including willfully causing financial loss, money laundering, stealing, and using public office for profit.
On October 13, the Attorney-General filed charges against Mrs Oware-Mensah and Osei Assibey Antwi, former NSA Executive Director.
The two allegedly authorised payments to 69,000 non-existent national service personnel, causing losses between August 2021 and February 2025.
Mr Antwi faces 14 counts, including stealing and money laundering, accused of diverting GH¢8.26 million to his personal account and withdrawing GH¢106 million from the NSA’s Kumawu Farm Project without applying the funds.
Total offences linked to him are estimated at GH¢615 million. Mrs Oware-Mensah faces five counts, including stealing and willfully causing financial loss.
Source: www.kumasima
