Former NSS Official Accused of Masterminding GHS30 Million Loan Fraud

Strategic Insights -

Gifty Oware-Mensah, a former Deputy Executive Director of the National Service Scheme, has been accused by the Attorney General of orchestrating a complex financial scheme that involved falsified identities and a bogus company. The scheme, which targeted the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB), allegedly secured a loan of GHS30,698,218 using National Service allowances as security. The Attorney General revealed that Oware-Mensah used the personal information of unsuspecting individuals to register a fake company called Blocks of Life Consult and presented it to the bank as a legitimate service provider for National Service personnel.

Key Takeaways:

  • Gifty Oware-Mensah, a former NSS official, is accused of masterminding a GHS30 million loan fraud using falsified identities and a bogus company.
  • The scheme involved using National Service allowances as security to obtain the loan from the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB).
  • Oware-Mensah allegedly used the personal information of unsuspecting individuals to register a fake company called Blocks of Life Consult and presented it to the bank as a legitimate service provider.
  • The scheme involved the use of intermediaries and the former NSS official's spouse to deceive the bank.
  • GHS30,698,218 was allegedly secured through the loan scheme.
  • The scheme is believed to be linked to an ongoing investigation into massive payroll fraud at the National Service Scheme during Oware-Mensah's tenure.
  • The scandal centres on a payroll discrepancy of 81,885 ghost names, which is believed to have cost the state over GHS50 million monthly in fraudulent payments.
  • The discrepancy was uncovered when the NSS reported 180,030 names for allowance payments, but a headcount revealed only 98,145 active service personnel in 2024.
  • Gifty Oware-Mensah was detained and interrogated by the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) for several hours before being granted bail.

Statistics:

  • GHS30,698,218: The amount allegedly secured through the loan scheme.
  • 180,030: The number of names reported by the NSS for allowance payments in 2024.
  • 98,145: The actual number of active service personnel in 2024.
  • 81,885: The payroll discrepancy uncovered by the government, believed to have cost the state over GHS50 million monthly in fraudulent payments.
  • GHS50 million: The alleged monthly cost of fraudulent payments due to the payroll discrepancy.

Sources:

  • Ghana Web, June 13, 2025: "Former NSS Official Accused of Masterminding GHS30 million Loan Fraud"