Sales Assistant Convicted After Stealing GH¢353,471 for ‘Marriage’ Scheme

A sales assistant who stole GH¢353,471 from his employer under the guise of raising funds for a “marriage” has been convicted by the Adentan Circuit Court after investigations uncovered a broader fraud network involving several individuals.

Alfred Mensah, the convicted employee, pleaded guilty to stealing.The court ordered him to repay the entire amount and fined him GH¢12,000. Should he fail to pay the fine, he will serve a two-year prison sentence.

Also standing trial are trader Mary Asantewaa and pastor Emmanuel Okyere, who face charges of abetment of crime, to wit, stealing, and dishonestly receiving stolen property.

Three other accused persons, Samuel Dika, Miriam Okai, and 59-year-old trader Vida Yeboah, have been charged with dishonestly receiving stolen property. All the accused, except Mensah, pleaded not guilty and were granted bail of GH¢353,471 each with justification.

Presenting the facts before the court, Chief Inspector Maxwell Lanyo said the complainant, Gideon Offei Tieku, operates a plumbing materials business at Lakeside and Kantamanto. Mensah had reportedly worked for him for seven years.

According to the prosecution, the businessman experienced unexplained financial losses between 2024 and 2025 but was unable to immediately trace the source.

The theft was uncovered on June 17, 2025, when a business associate informed the complainant that Mensah had collected plumbing materials worth GH¢56,000 without making payment. Mensah was subsequently arrested and handed over to police at the Lakeside Community 8 Police Station.

During investigations, Mensah admitted stealing the funds and revealed that he had given the money to Asantewaa and Dika after telling them he wanted to use it for a “marriage.” He claimed they had assured him they would help him find a wife.

Police investigations later established that Mensah was allegedly manipulated into sending more money after being told the supposed bride had developed a kidney-related illness. The suspects further claimed she required urgent medical treatment in South Africa, prompting additional transfers.

In total, Mensah transferred GH¢353,471.50 through Asantewaa’s mobile money account.

Further investigations led to the arrest of Asantewaa, who reportedly identified Dika as an accomplice. Subsequent inquiries also linked Okyere, Okai, and Yeboah to the receipt of portions of the stolen funds.

Prosecutors disclosed that GH¢46,000 has so far been recovered from Vida Yeboah as authorities continue efforts to retrieve the remaining money.

By: Paulina Armah/ Radio1.