The High Court in Accra has directed Gifty Oware-Mensah, the former Deputy Executive Director of the National Service Authority (NSA), to submit a list of her witnesses by January 27 in connection with her trial over an alleged GH¢38 million financial loss tied to the NSA ghost names scandal.
Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, the presiding judge, issued a stern warning that the court would “advise itself” should Mrs. Oware-Mensah fail to comply with the order. This follows her previous non-compliance with a similar directive issued on December 22.
During the court session, Mrs. Oware-Mensah’s lawyer, Gary Nimako Marfo, contended that the selection of witnesses depended on the evidence presented by the prosecution. However, Justice Kocuvie-Tay dismissed this argument, stressing that court orders are binding and must be obeyed without selectivity.
Mrs. Oware-Mensah was granted bail in the amount of GH¢10 million on October 25 after entering a not-guilty plea to multiple charges, including willfully causing financial loss to the state, money laundering, stealing, and using public office for personal profit.
As part of her bail conditions, she is required to provide three sureties, two of whom must present proof of landed property. Additionally, she must surrender her passports and report to the police twice a month.
The charges stem from an October 13 filing by the Attorney-General against Mrs. Oware-Mensah and Osei Assibey Antwi, the former NSA Executive Director.
The duo is accused of authorizing payments to 69,000 fictitious national service personnel, resulting in significant financial losses to the state between August 2021 and February 2025.
Mr. Antwi faces 14 counts, including stealing and money laundering. He is alleged to have diverted GH¢8.26 million to his personal account and withdrawn GH¢106 million from the NSA’s Kumawu Farm Project without proper application of the funds. The total offences linked to him are estimated at GH¢615 million.
Mrs. Oware-Mensah, on the other hand, faces five counts, primarily related to stealing and willfully causing financial loss to the state.