The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Ms Linda Akweley Ocloo, on Saturday led a cleanup exercise in the Shai-Osudoku District as part of the second edition of the “Regional Sanitation Day.”
The exercise, which began at 6:00 am saw participants cleaning their surroundings and streets, de-silting choked gutters and clearing weeds.
The exercise was in direct fulfilment of the Regional Coordinating Council to all Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies within the Greater Accra Region to embark on a massive clean-up exercise as part of the Regional Sanitation Day.
Addressing journalists after the exercise, Ms Ocloo who is also Member of Parliament (MP) for the area said the exercise was in line with the directive from the President to make Accra the cleanest city in Africa.
About the author
GFA ExCo Member Gifty Oware‑Mensah Implicated in GH¢548 Million NSA Payroll Fraud
Gifty Oware‑Mensah—a current member of the Ghana Football Association’s Executive Council and former Deputy Executive Director of the National Service Scheme (NSS)—has been named by Attorney‑General Dominic Ayine as a central suspect in the GH¢548 million ghost‑names payroll fraud, involving payroll manipulation and a fraudulent loan scheme. 1. PYRAMID OF FRAUD Ayine revealed that 9,934 ghost names were used by Oware‑Mensah to siphon funds, funnelled into a fake company she registered—Blocks of Life Consult, using the identities of others. She is alleged to have secured a GH¢30.7 million loan from the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB), using NSS allowances as collateral—then redirected the money into personal and company accounts. 2. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS AHEAD Oware‑Mensah is among 12 former NSS officials—including former Executive Director Mustapha Ussif and Osei Assibey Antwi—set to face charges of fraud, money laundering, and causing financial loss to the state […]
Former NSA Officials and Vendors Face Prosecution Over GH¢548 Million Ghost‑Names Fraud
Attorney-General Dominic Ayine has confirmed that 12 former National Service Scheme (NSS/NSA) officials, alongside a network of vendors, will face formal charges for siphoning a staggering GH¢548.3 million through a “ghost-names” payroll scam spanning six years. 1. Who’s Being Charged The 12 suspects, comprising high-ranking NSS officials and senior staff, include: Mustapha Ussif – former Executive Director Gifty Oware-Mensah – former Deputy Executive Director (alleged ringleader) Osei Assibey Antwi – ex-Director General Kwaku Ohene Gyan, Abraham Bismarck Gaise, Kwaku Adjei, Iddrisu Abubakar, Stephen Kwabena Gyamfi, Prince Awuku, Jacob Yawson, plus two unnamed accomplices. Mr. Ayine stated that vendor networks also conspired in the scheme—billing for undelivered services and muddying financial trails . 2. Mechanism of the Fraud The scam involved adding 81,885 ghost names to the NSS payroll and using falsified ID details—including index numbers—to siphon funds. At one point, GH¢50+ […]
36 Prison Inmates Write BECE, 2 Candidates Die, and 16 More Invigilators Arrested
This year’s Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in Ghana saw 36 male prison inmates sit for exams nationwide. However, the exam period was also marred by tragedy—two candidates died during the process—and 16 additional invigilators were arrested for malpractice, bringing the total to 25 officers detained. 1. Prison Inmates Take the Exam The inmates came from four facilities: 18 juveniles at the Senior Correctional Centre (SCC), seven from Nsawam Medium Security, six from Ho Central Prison, and five from Kumasi Central Prison . Educators from the Ghana Prisons Service and Ghana Education Service prepared and accompanied them to registered exam centres under guard . 2. Two Tragic Deaths A 14-year-old girl, identified as Jennifer Osei Nyamah, collapsed and died at Kwahu Praso in the Eastern Region. She had shown symptoms during exams and passed away after hospitalization . Another candidate […]
OSP Conducts Search on SML Amid Corruption Investigation
Ghana’s Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has conducted a court-authorized search at the offices of Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Ltd (SML) in both Osu and Tema, seizing data in connection with a controversial contract linked to the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA). 1. Locations & Warrants The simultaneous raids—in Tema’s Industrial Area and Osu, Accra—were executed under court orders, supported by the National Security Secretariat. The objective: collect electronic records from SML’s servers related to its lucrative contract with GRA. 2. Arrests of SML Directors Preceding the search, the OSP arrested three senior directors from SML as part of its intensifying probe into alleged corruption tied to this contract. 3. OSP's Official Position OSP officials emphasized that no property was damaged during the raids. They confirmed the search was purely investigatory, and insisted it followed proper legal procedures to ensure integrity […]
Nurses and Midwives Call Off Strike Following Parliament Talks
The Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) has officially suspended its nationwide strike following what it described as a “very fruitful” meeting with Parliament’s Select Committee on Health on Thursday, June 12, 2025. Nurses and midwives are set to return to work on Saturday, June 14. 1. Strike Overview & Cause The strike began June 2 with symbolic red bands, escalating to a full withdrawal of services by June 9. GRNMA demanded full implementation of the 2024 Collective Agreement, which includes allowances and welfare improvements. 2. Parliamentary Intervention Parliament’s Health Committee convened with GRNMA leaders on June 12, outlining a clear framework for resolving outstanding issues. The Association termed the engagement “very fruitful,” setting the stage for structured implementation of their demands. 3. Return to Duty & Follow-Up GRNMA leadership directed all members to resume work on June 14 […]
GH¢548 Million ‘Ghost Names’ Scandal Rocks National Service Scheme – AG Speaks
Ghana’s Attorney‑General and Minister for Justice, Dominic Ayine, has exposed a staggering GH¢548.3 million siphoned from the National Service Scheme (NSS) through a fraudulent “ghost names” payroll scheme spanning six years. 1. How the Fraud Worked Investigators identified 81,885 ghost names added to the NSS payroll, facilitating monthly fraudulent payments of over GH¢50 million. Ghost workers were supported with fabricated IDs and index numbers, bypassing system checks. 2. Scope of Financial Loss The total fraud occurred between 2018 and 2024, with over GH¢350 million lost just during the 2022/23 service year . 3. Who’s Involved 12 suspects, including former NSS Executive Director Mustafa Yusif, ex-Director-General Osei Assibey Antwi, and former Deputy Executive Director Gifty Oware-Mensah, are facing prosecution . A network of vendors also colluded by billing for undelivered goods and services, receiving millions with no verifiable evidence . 4. Broader Corruption Ties […]
Related
GFA ExCo Member Gifty Oware‑Mensah Implicated in GH¢548 Million NSA Payroll Fraud
Gifty Oware‑Mensah—a current member of the Ghana Football Association’s Executive Council and former Deputy Executive Director of the National Service Scheme (NSS)—has been named by Attorney‑General Dominic Ayine as a central suspect in the GH¢548 million ghost‑names payroll fraud, involving payroll manipulation and a fraudulent loan scheme. 1. PYRAMID OF FRAUD Ayine revealed that 9,934 ghost names were used by Oware‑Mensah to siphon funds, funnelled into a fake company she registered—Blocks of Life Consult, using the identities of others. She is alleged to have secured a GH¢30.7 million loan from the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB), using NSS allowances as collateral—then redirected the money into personal and company accounts. 2. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS AHEAD Oware‑Mensah is among 12 former NSS officials—including former Executive Director Mustapha Ussif and Osei Assibey Antwi—set to face charges of fraud, money laundering, and causing financial loss to the state […]
Former NSA Officials and Vendors Face Prosecution Over GH¢548 Million Ghost‑Names Fraud
Attorney-General Dominic Ayine has confirmed that 12 former National Service Scheme (NSS/NSA) officials, alongside a network of vendors, will face formal charges for siphoning a staggering GH¢548.3 million through a “ghost-names” payroll scam spanning six years. 1. Who’s Being Charged The 12 suspects, comprising high-ranking NSS officials and senior staff, include: Mustapha Ussif – former Executive Director Gifty Oware-Mensah – former Deputy Executive Director (alleged ringleader) Osei Assibey Antwi – ex-Director General Kwaku Ohene Gyan, Abraham Bismarck Gaise, Kwaku Adjei, Iddrisu Abubakar, Stephen Kwabena Gyamfi, Prince Awuku, Jacob Yawson, plus two unnamed accomplices. Mr. Ayine stated that vendor networks also conspired in the scheme—billing for undelivered services and muddying financial trails . 2. Mechanism of the Fraud The scam involved adding 81,885 ghost names to the NSS payroll and using falsified ID details—including index numbers—to siphon funds. At one point, GH¢50+ […]
36 Prison Inmates Write BECE, 2 Candidates Die, and 16 More Invigilators Arrested
This year’s Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in Ghana saw 36 male prison inmates sit for exams nationwide. However, the exam period was also marred by tragedy—two candidates died during the process—and 16 additional invigilators were arrested for malpractice, bringing the total to 25 officers detained. 1. Prison Inmates Take the Exam The inmates came from four facilities: 18 juveniles at the Senior Correctional Centre (SCC), seven from Nsawam Medium Security, six from Ho Central Prison, and five from Kumasi Central Prison . Educators from the Ghana Prisons Service and Ghana Education Service prepared and accompanied them to registered exam centres under guard . 2. Two Tragic Deaths A 14-year-old girl, identified as Jennifer Osei Nyamah, collapsed and died at Kwahu Praso in the Eastern Region. She had shown symptoms during exams and passed away after hospitalization . Another candidate […]
OSP Conducts Search on SML Amid Corruption Investigation
Ghana’s Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has conducted a court-authorized search at the offices of Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Ltd (SML) in both Osu and Tema, seizing data in connection with a controversial contract linked to the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA). 1. Locations & Warrants The simultaneous raids—in Tema’s Industrial Area and Osu, Accra—were executed under court orders, supported by the National Security Secretariat. The objective: collect electronic records from SML’s servers related to its lucrative contract with GRA. 2. Arrests of SML Directors Preceding the search, the OSP arrested three senior directors from SML as part of its intensifying probe into alleged corruption tied to this contract. 3. OSP's Official Position OSP officials emphasized that no property was damaged during the raids. They confirmed the search was purely investigatory, and insisted it followed proper legal procedures to ensure integrity […]
Nurses and Midwives Call Off Strike Following Parliament Talks
The Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) has officially suspended its nationwide strike following what it described as a “very fruitful” meeting with Parliament’s Select Committee on Health on Thursday, June 12, 2025. Nurses and midwives are set to return to work on Saturday, June 14. 1. Strike Overview & Cause The strike began June 2 with symbolic red bands, escalating to a full withdrawal of services by June 9. GRNMA demanded full implementation of the 2024 Collective Agreement, which includes allowances and welfare improvements. 2. Parliamentary Intervention Parliament’s Health Committee convened with GRNMA leaders on June 12, outlining a clear framework for resolving outstanding issues. The Association termed the engagement “very fruitful,” setting the stage for structured implementation of their demands. 3. Return to Duty & Follow-Up GRNMA leadership directed all members to resume work on June 14 […]
GH¢548 Million ‘Ghost Names’ Scandal Rocks National Service Scheme – AG Speaks
Ghana’s Attorney‑General and Minister for Justice, Dominic Ayine, has exposed a staggering GH¢548.3 million siphoned from the National Service Scheme (NSS) through a fraudulent “ghost names” payroll scheme spanning six years. 1. How the Fraud Worked Investigators identified 81,885 ghost names added to the NSS payroll, facilitating monthly fraudulent payments of over GH¢50 million. Ghost workers were supported with fabricated IDs and index numbers, bypassing system checks. 2. Scope of Financial Loss The total fraud occurred between 2018 and 2024, with over GH¢350 million lost just during the 2022/23 service year . 3. Who’s Involved 12 suspects, including former NSS Executive Director Mustafa Yusif, ex-Director-General Osei Assibey Antwi, and former Deputy Executive Director Gifty Oware-Mensah, are facing prosecution . A network of vendors also colluded by billing for undelivered goods and services, receiving millions with no verifiable evidence . 4. Broader Corruption Ties […]