"No One Is Defending Her": The Shocking Silence That Forced an Activist to Dial a Suspect

In a political and social media landscape known for its fierce loyalties and rapid defences, one case is striking for the silence that surrounds it. NPP-affiliated activist Sir Obama Pokuase has taken to Facebook to voice his surprise at the apparent abandonment of Gifty Oware-Mensah, the former Deputy Boss of the National Service Scheme (NSS).

Oware-Mensah remains in the custody of the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB), unable to meet bail conditions following her arrest in connection with a massive payroll fraud investigation. The probe, initiated by President Mahama, reportedly uncovered a staggering 81,885 suspected ghost names on the NSS payroll, with allegations of benefits during her tenure.

Yet, as Pokuase points out, the usual chorus of support from party allies and institutional colleagues is nowhere to be found.

“I find it quite amusing how nobody is defending this lady; not even a single soul from the party or NSS,” he stated, posing a question many are now asking: “Is there something I am unaware of?”

Intrigued by the vacuum of support, Pokuase decided to investigate the court of public opinion. He asked for her contact, aiming to form his own defence team for her "both in court and in the media." The response from the public, however, was telling.

Of over 500 comments on his post, a mere 3% were in Oware-Mensah's favour. The remaining 97% were overwhelmingly negative. More revealingly, his direct messages were flooded with individuals sharing what he termed “unpleasant experiences” with the former Deputy NSS boss.

This groundswell of anecdotal evidence paints a picture of a figure who, in the eyes of many, was "disrespectful" and harsh during her time in office. The public sentiment, it seems, has already begun to render a verdict, long before the legal process takes its course.

Driven by these conflicting narratives, Pokuase took the unusual step of calling Gifty Oware-Mensah directly to hear her side of the story. While the contents of that conversation remain under wraps, the very act highlights the unique and perplexing nature of this case.

The question remains: Is the public silence and backlash a result of a presumption of guilt in the fraud case, or a long-awaited reckoning for her management style? Or is it a combination of both?

One thing is clear: in the court of public opinion, Gifty Oware-Mensah is fighting this battle almost entirely alone.