The Ghana Society for the Socially Challenged has issued a formal warning to all occupants and prospective land buyers on its 7.78-acre property at Ogbojo near Madina in Accra, cautioning them to desist from any dealings with Jason Anthony Mensah, son of the late Anthony Mensah, regarding the land.
According to the society, no individual or organisation should make any payment or enter into any agreement with Jason Anthony Mensah or any persons connected to him concerning the property.
The organisation stressed that any payment made in defiance of the warning will be done at the payer’s own risk, as it takes legal steps to regain full control of the land.
Unauthorized Land Sales
The warning follows the society’s discovery that large portions of its land had been subdivided and allegedly leased to several individuals and organisations without its authorisation.
In a formal statement, the society alleged that the late Anthony Mensah, while serving as a member of its executive council and participating in board decisions, secretly leased parts of the land to third parties and received payments, including cheques issued in the name of the society, without accounting for the funds.
The organisation said it only discovered the alleged transactions after his death.
Secret Company Registration
According to the society, further investigations revealed that on 21 December 2018, Anthony Mensah and his son Jason Anthony Mensah allegedly registered a company known as Socially Disadvantaged Company Limited under the Companies Code, 1963 (Act 179).
The company reportedly listed:
- Anthony Mensah – Director
- Jason Anthony Mensah – Director
- Jason Anthony Mensah – Secretary
The society claims the company was created without its knowledge or approval and was later used to lay claim to the organisation’s properties.
Website Hacking and Financial Manipulation
The society also alleged that Jason Anthony Mensah, Charles Osei, and Richard Oppong unlawfully accessed its official website.
According to the statement, the individuals allegedly changed the names and phone numbers of authorised representatives receiving donations, replacing them with their own contact details, thereby diverting donations meant for the organisation.
The suspects were also accused of attempting to change the signatories to the society’s bank accounts by writing to its bankers. However, the move was foiled by the vigilance of the bank’s branch manager.
Misuse of Event Centre
The organisation further accused Jason Anthony Mensah of fraudulently claiming ownership of the Ogbojo property and charging individuals and organisations who organise funerals and social events at the centre.They Have now turned the orphanage home and event centre into a funeral ground where they charge people to hold funerals and other ceremonies thereby creating nuisance at the premises of the home.
The society alleged that the money collected from such events was pocketed without being accounted for to the organisation.
Over GH¢1.8 Million Allegedly Siphoned
The society claims that the late Anthony Mensah and his son defrauded it of rent income exceeding GH¢1,813,500.
The matter has since been reported to the police, with the organisation demanding that all monies allegedly siphoned from its accounts and donations be refunded with interest from April 23, 2021, until final payment.
Call for Cancellation of Company Registration
The organisation has also petitioned the Registrar of Companies to cancel the registration of Socially Disadvantaged Company Limited which was secretly registered by the late Anthony Mensah and his son arguing that it was obtained through fraudulent misrepresentation and intended for unlawful purposes.
History of the Organisationb
The Ghana Society for the Socially Challenged is a non-governmental, voluntary and non-profit organisation founded around 1958. It was originally known as the Kaneshie Cripple Home, later renamed the Ghana Cripples Aid Society, before adopting its current name.
The organisation was incorporated on 14 January 1977 as a public company limited by guarantee.
Its primary mission is to improve the lives of physically challenged and socially disadvantaged youth by providing:
- Free residential vocational training
- Basic education in English and Mathematics
- Skills development to enable beneficiaries become self-reliant and economically independent.
The programmes are open to young people between the ages of 15 and 40.
Government Land Donation
To support the organisation’s income-generating activities, the Government of Ghana in 1992 compulsorily acquired and donated the 7.78-acre parcel of land at Ogbojo near Madina to the society.
The land is currently occupied by several institutions and organisations, including:
- Health Minds International School
- Community International School
- Echoing Hills Village Ghana
- Bointe Community School
- Intercom Programming & MFG Co. Ltd
The society has warned that it will pursue all legal avenues to reclaim its property and protect its assets for the benefit of persons living with disabilities and disadvantaged youth.
