A former Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Henry Kwabena Kokofu, has condemned the detention of Gifty Oware-Mensah, calling it a shameful act for the country, especially in light of the International Women's Day celebrations.

Speaking on UTV on Monday, March 10, 2025, Kokofu, a member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kokofu expressed sadness over the development slamming the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) for its actions.

According to him, the detention of Oware-Mensah raises serious concerns about the abuse of power by authorities and security agencies in the country.

“… The world is honoring women with International Women’s Day but in our country, a woman is equally being detained and treated inhumanely. What is happening to Oware-Mensah is a shame to the country and this is the same month the country is being celebrated. If this is how things are unfolding then I have no hope in the country,” he stated.

Kokofu also a former lawmaker for Bantama argued that Oware-Mensah should not have been detained, given that she returned to the country voluntarily and made herself available for investigations after reports emerged that the NIB was seeking her.

“… One sad thing on the International Women’s Day was that Gifty Oware-Mensah who was been sought after by the NIB over alleged payroll fraud during her tenure as an executive at the National Service Authority came willingly to the country and availed herself for investigations,” he continued.

The politician further stated that the NIB should have either released her or granted her bail after her interrogation. However, he criticised the agency for concealing her whereabouts, even from her husband, leaving her location unknown.

“The best thing was for them to interrogate her and grant her bail following her arrest for investigations to continue but it didn’t happen that way. The NIB arrested her when she presented herself and have failed to release her. Even her husband has no idea of her whereabouts, how is this a good thing?"

He added "the laws of this country state that until a court of competent jurisdiction finds you guilty, you are deemed innocent and moreover the Supreme Court says all offenses are bailable,” he concluded.

His reaction comes in response to the reported detention of former NSA Deputy Director Gifty Oware-Mensah by the NIB over an alleged payroll fraud

Her arrest on Friday, March 7, 2025, is part of an ongoing investigation into a ghost-name scheme that has rocked the NSA and drawn national attention.

MAG/WB

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