Accra, Ghana – May 18, 2026 – A letter purportedly written by former National Service Scheme (NSS) Deputy Executive Director Gifty Oware-Mensah, instructing the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) to transfer funds to her private company, has been admitted as evidence in the ongoing trial concerning alleged ghost names and financial impropriety within the NSS. The document’s admission occurred during testimony by ADB’s Head of Commercial Banking, Gilbert Sebe-Yeboah, before an Accra court.
Context of the Allegations
Mrs. Oware-Mensah faces serious charges, including one count of stealing, two counts of wilfully causing financial loss to the state, using public office for profit, and money laundering. These charges stem from an alleged scandal involving “ghost names” within the National Service Scheme, which prosecutors claim resulted in a loss of GH¢38 million to the state. She has entered a plea of not guilty and has been granted bail.
Court Proceedings and Evidence Admission
During Monday’s proceedings, Principal State Attorney Dufie Prempeh presented several documents to support the prosecution’s case. The letter in question was referenced in paragraph 20 of Mr. Sebe-Yeboah’s witness statement.
Mr. Sebe-Yeboah identified the document as a “Letter from NSS transfer of funds with respect to higher purchase signed by deputy executive director Gifty Oware-Mensah.” The prosecution then moved to tender it as evidence.
Defense Objections and Court Ruling
Lead counsel for the accused, Gary Nimako Marfo, raised objections to the letter’s admission. He argued that the document was illegible, undated, and not an original copy.
“The document the witness intends to tender is not legible, undated, not the original copy and, in fact, the supposed letterhead which he claims was authored by the accused person is so faint that it is not readable,” Mr. Nimako Marfo contended.
Presiding judge, Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, acknowledged the concerns regarding the document’s quality. However, she ruled that the letter would be admitted into evidence on the condition that the prosecution provides a clearer copy.
“I have perused the said document, and I do agree with counsel for the accused person that the writings on the said letter appear to be very faint,” the judge stated. “Since it is not all that legible, one cannot tell whether or not the original copy has a date, which burden would have been on the author of that document.”
Justice Kocuvie-Tay directed the prosecution to submit a more legible version. “In the circumstances, this letter would be admitted subject to the prosecution providing a clear copy to the court,” she ruled.
Additional Documents Presented
In addition to the letter, the prosecution also tendered a pen drive containing various documents. These included a bank consumer flyer, an Excel file detailing 5,890 national service personnel, a document titled “NSS Facility Repayment Advice,” and a master agreement between ADB and the National Service Authority dated March 5, 2024.
Second Letter and Further Objections
The witness further identified another letter, also allegedly authored by Mrs. Oware-Mensah. This document reportedly directed the bank to transfer funds into an account belonging to Blocks of Life Consult, a company reportedly linked to the accused.
Mr. Nimako Marfo raised a further objection, arguing that this document lacked any indication of originating from the National Service Secretariat.
“The document the witness intends to tender does not bear any mark, semblance, indication or any scintilla of a trace as emanating from the National Service Secretariat,” he argued. “We submit that this document is not from proper custody and the same must be rejected by this court.”
The Principal State Attorney responded that the prosecution possessed the original copy on NSS letterhead with a reference number and would provide a clearer version to the defense. After reviewing both the photocopy and the original document presented in court, the judge reiterated that the primary issue was legibility and directed the prosecution to file a clearer copy.
Implications and Future Watch
The admission of these documents, despite initial legibility concerns, marks a significant step in the trial. The prosecution aims to use these letters to establish a direct link between the former NSS official and the alleged diversion of funds to her private entity. The defense continues to challenge the authenticity and provenance of the evidence. The outcome of this trial could have substantial implications for public financial accountability within state institutions and the prosecution of corruption-related charges. Observers will be watching closely to see how the clearer copies of the documents are presented and whether further challenges arise regarding their admissibility or content. The focus remains on proving the alleged financial loss and the intent behind the fund transfers.
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