Once celebrated as a rising star in Ghanaian politics and sports administration, Gifty Oware-Mensah now faces serious criminal charges over her alleged role in a GH¢38 million financial scandal at the National Service Scheme.
From DebrichGroup.com source, investigators claim the funds were diverted through a network of ghost names, while Oware-Mensah maintains her innocence. Her case has reignited debate about corruption control and oversight in Ghana’s public sector institutions.
Early Life and Education of Gifty Oware-Mensah
Gifty Oware-Mensah (née Oware-Aboagye) was born on 4 July 1986 in Koforidua, in Ghana’s Eastern Region. Her father, Isaac Oware-Aboagye, was a development worker, and her mother, Kate Donkor, worked as a textile trader.
She attended Ghana Secondary School in Koforidua for her secondary education and later pursued a Bachelor of Arts degree in History at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).
She furthered her education by obtaining a postgraduate certificate in Management of Democratic Elections in Africa from the University of South Africa, and a Master of Science degree in Defence and International Politics from the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College. Gifty also holds an Executive Development Certificate in Women in Leadership from Stellenbosch University, and completed Executive Education in Digital Marketing at Yale University.
Early Career and Political Engagement
Between 2011 and 2014, Oware-Mensah worked as the Events and Marketing Manager for Reflects Marketing Plus in Accra. She later joined the Danquah Institute, a political think tank affiliated with the New Patriotic Party (NPP), where she served as Director of Research and Media Relations.
Her political journey began during her university years, where she was actively involved in the NPP’s student wing, TESCON (Tertiary Students Confederacy). She rose through the ranks of student politics, gaining recognition for her leadership and advocacy on youth and governance issues.
Role in National Service Scheme and Sports Administration
In February 2017, Gifty Oware-Mensah was appointed Deputy Executive Director of the National Service Scheme (NSS) of Ghana. She was responsible for administration and finance, overseeing the deployment and management of nearly 100,000 national service personnel annually.
Outside of public service, she has been deeply involved in Ghanaian sports administration. She serves as the Vice President of Berekum Chelsea Football Club in the Ghana Premier League, and is also co-owner of Berry Ladies Football Club, a leading team in the Women’s Premier League.
Additionally, she has served as a member of the management committee for the Black Maidens, Ghana’s Under-17 female national team, and as Vice-Chairperson of the Women’s Premier League Super Cup Local Organising Committee.
Personal Life
Gifty Oware-Mensah is married to Peter Kwaku Mensah, an Accra-based legal practitioner.
The GH¢38 Million National Service Scandal
- Background of the Case
In October 2025, Gifty Oware-Mensah was charged by Ghana’s Office of the Attorney-General and Ministry of Justice in connection with an alleged financial scandal involving the misappropriation of National Service Scheme funds. The alleged misconduct involved approximately GH¢38 million, which investigators claim was lost through “ghost names” — payments made to non-existent national service personnel.
The alleged offenses occurred between February 2022 and March 2024, during her tenure as Deputy Executive Director in charge of Administration and Finance.
Charges and Court Proceedings
Oware-Mensah faces multiple charges including:
- Stealing
- Causing financial loss to the state
- Abuse of office
- Money laundering
She has pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
According to DebrichGroup.com, the prosecution, a network of falsified records and ghost names was allegedly used to divert funds from the National Service payroll system. The scheme reportedly involved false postings and fabricated payment authorizations.
Oware-Mensah was granted bail in the amount of GH¢10 million with three sureties, one of whom must be justified with property equivalent in value. The court has adjourned the case to allow the prosecution to complete its investigations and present supporting documentation.
Her legal counsel has requested time to review the evidence and also cited health-related reasons for adjournments in earlier sittings.
Public Reaction and Implications
The case has generated significant public interest due to Oware-Mensah’s prominence in both politics and sports administration. Many Ghanaians have expressed concern over recurring corruption scandals within public agencies, particularly the National Service Scheme, which has faced similar issues in previous administrations.
Public commentary has been divided — some view the charges as politically motivated, while others see them as a necessary step toward accountability in public service.
The alleged amount, GH¢38 million, represents one of the largest recent financial scandals within a youth-oriented state institution, raising questions about oversight, payroll management, and the integrity of financial controls in public sector agencies.
Broader Context and Significance
The case reflects broader challenges facing Ghana’s public service system — including weaknesses in payroll verification, transparency, and the tracking of personnel records. “Ghost names” scandals have been a recurring issue in various state institutions, where weaknesses in auditing allow for fictitious names to remain on payrolls for extended periods.
As Deputy Executive Director, Oware-Mensah’s role placed her at the center of financial and administrative decision-making at the NSS, making the allegations particularly serious.
Observers believe that the trial’s outcome will serve as a test case for Ghana’s anti-corruption and accountability mechanisms. If proven, it could trigger major reforms in the management of state personnel databases and financial oversight systems.
Current Status
As of late October 2025, Gifty Oware-Mensah remains on bail and the trial is ongoing. The prosecution has been directed to submit further evidence, while the defense maintains her innocence. The case has been adjourned to a future date for case management and potential witness testimonies.
Finally, Gifty Oware-Mensah’s story represents both the promise and pitfalls of public service in Ghana. Her rise from student politics to a high-ranking public administration role showcased the opportunities available to ambitious young leaders. Yet, the current scandal — involving allegations of misappropriation and abuse of office — underscores ongoing concerns about governance, accountability, and transparency in state institutions.
Her plea of not guilty sets the stage for a closely watched legal battle that could have far-reaching implications for Ghana’s public administration and the political establishment. Whether exonerated or convicted, the outcome will shape not only her personal legacy but also public confidence in the nation’s fight against corruption.
