Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has strongly condemned the attempted arrest of Gifty Oware-Mensah, a former deputy executive director of the National Service Scheme (NSS), by the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB).
The MP for Effuttu, Afenyo-Markin described the NIB’s approach as “Rambo-style” and unnecessary, emphasizing that Gifty Oware-Mensah should have been invited to respond to allegations against her in a more civil manner.
“Sometimes this ‘Rambo-style’ approach doesn’t help. If you want to invite someone, you can do so. The person is a public official, so there should be no problem,” Afenyo-Markin said.
He further explained that if Gifty Oware-Mensah had arrived with a lawyer or was willing to answer questions without one, arrangements could have been made for bail if necessary.
“I think that is what is required by the law,” he added.
Gifty Oware-Mensah arrived at the Airport on Tuesday afternoon. The attempted arrest of Oware-Mensah is linked to an ongoing investigation into the operations of the National Service Authority (NSA), following the alleged discovery of 81,885 suspected ghost names on its payroll.
President John Dramani Mahama instructed the NIB to conduct an immediate investigation into the matter. Oware-Mensah, as the Deputy Executive Director, was responsible for the administration and finance of the NSS and is expected to be a key witness in the investigations.
The alleged payroll fraud is reported to have cost the state GHȼ50 million each month, with the duration of the alleged scheme unclear.
The government has announced an extradition process to bring key suspects in alleged malfeasance back to Ghana, following reports that some individuals who wanted to assist in investigations had fled the country to evade justice.
The NIB recently detained and questioned Kwaku Ohene Djan, also a former Deputy Executive Director of the National Service Authority, over the allegations.
-BY Daniel Bampoe
