A 40-year-old security guard has been sentenced to seven years in prison after admitting to stealing thousands of euros from the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) headquarters in Accra.
Samuel Nortey Botchway pleaded guilty to unlawful entry and multiple counts of theft before the Accra Circuit Court. The court heard how he used a stolen access card to enter the office of the NHIS Head of Administration on three separate occasions, making off with a total of €5,600.
According to prosecutors, Botchway spent the stolen funds on personal expenses—including home renovations, electronics, clothing, and school fees—before returning just GHS 10,000 to authorities.
The thefts were uncovered after the victim, who had stored €5,740 in his office before traveling abroad, noticed money missing upon his return. After two initial thefts (€3,300 and €1,300), he installed a hidden camera, which captured Botchway stealing an additional €1,000. Only €40 remained in the drawer by the time the scheme was exposed.
Presiding judge Isaac Addo acknowledged Botchway’s remorse and partial repayment but emphasized the breach of trust and premeditated nature of the crimes. The seven-year sentence will run concurrently for all charges.
The case highlights vulnerabilities in institutional security, prompting calls for stricter oversight of access controls in government offices.
