A young, unemployed woman’s desperate search for work has allegedly turned into a nightmare after she was defrauded of GH¢12,000 by a prominent member of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP). Theresa Osei, who has struggled to find employment since completing her education, claims she fell victim to a job scam orchestrated by Mustapha Mohammed, a known NPP figure in the Manhyia South constituency.
According to Theresa and her father, Mr. Stephen Osei Acheampong, Mustapha Mohammed approached Theresa about three years ago, promising to leverage his political connections to secure her a position at the Ghana Immigration Service.
Mustapha allegedly stated he could influence officials within the service for a speedy job offer, but required a payment of GH¢12,000 to facilitate the process. Desperate for an opportunity, Theresa, supported by her family, managed to raise the funds and paid them to Mustapha.
“He promised my daughter that the job would be secured within three weeks,” Mr. Acheampong stated, frustration evident in his voice. “But, after that time passed, he began giving excuses. Eventually, he blocked our phone numbers to avoid our calls.”
The family reports that they even confronted Mustapha at his residence, but he maintained his excuses. They now claim he is difficult to locate, and believe he is deliberately avoiding them.
Frustrated and feeling betrayed, the Osei family filed a complaint with the Manhyia Police. While police apprehended Mustapha and he reportedly pledged to repay the money, neither the funds nor a job offer have materialized.
Mr. Acheampong expressed disappointment with the slow pace of justice, despite assurances from the police that the case will be processed for court.
“We are calling for government intervention at this point. This is not just about the money; it’s about the betrayal of trust and the exploitation of vulnerable people like my daughter, who just want to work and contribute to society,” Mr. Acheampong implored.
The alleged incident has sparked outrage, highlighting concerns about the vulnerability of job seekers and the abuse of political influence. It also raises questions about the accountability of party members who hold such positions within the political arena.
