GFA Executive Member Gifty Oware-Mensah Arrested Over Alleged Payroll Fraud

Gifty Oware-Mensah, a former Deputy Director of the National Service Authority (NSA) and current Executive Council member of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), has been arrested by the National Investigation Bureau (NIB) over an alleged payroll fraud scandal at the NSA.

Her detention is part of an ongoing ghost-name investigation that has sparked national concern. Reports indicate she was taken into custody on Friday, March 7, 2025, and remains detained despite multiple attempts to secure her release.

It is alleged that former NPP General Secretary, John Boadu, attempted to intervene on her behalf. However, she was later moved from the NIB premises to an undisclosed location.

The scandal was first uncovered by an investigative report by The Fourth Estate, which exposed fraudulent activities within the NSA’s payroll system.

In response, President John Dramani Mahama, in his first State of the Nation Address, directed law enforcement agencies to take firm action against those implicated. This has led to intensified investigations and a series of arrests.

Authorities believe some individuals linked to the scheme have fled the country. Consequently, President Mahama has ordered the freezing of their assets to prevent them from benefiting from any illicitly acquired funds.

Before her arrest, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin had assured that Oware-Mensah was willing to cooperate with investigators. Her legal team was reportedly making arrangements for her to meet with the NIB when she was taken into custody.

Oware-Mensah had recently returned to Ghana on March 5, 2025, after spending time abroad following the 2024 elections.