Government to tap dormant accounts for National Development – Finance Minister

A retired officer of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has been remanded into custody by an Accra Circuit Court for allegedly orchestrating a fake recruitment scheme that defrauded 60 aspiring fire service recruits of GH¢303,200.

The accused, Thomas Dorkenu, 60, is facing a charge of defrauding by false pretences. However, the court, presided over by Kwabena Kodua Obiri-Yeboah, did not take his plea and adjourned the case to August 12, 2026.

Presenting the facts, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Emmanuel Nyamekye told the court that Dorkenu allegedly convinced applicants he could use his connections within the Ghana National Fire Service to secure recruitment opportunities through a protocol arrangement.

According to the prosecution, on February 9, 2026, Dorkenu contacted one of the complainants, Ms Eyram Davordzi-Banini, a midwife based in Akatsi, claiming he had obtained recruitment slots from the Chief Fire Officer. He allegedly asked her to gather interested applicants who wished to join the service.

The prosecution said Ms Davordzi-Banini subsequently mobilised 60 prospective recruits, who collectively paid GH¢303,200 to Dorkenu as what he described as approved protocol fees for the recruitment process.

Investigators further alleged that Dorkenu later issued appointment letters to the applicants, instructing them to report to the Ghana National Fire Service Training School on July 23, 2026.

However, when the recruits arrived at the training school, officials informed them that the appointment letters were fake and that no such recruitment exercise had been authorised.

Following the discovery, the applicants filed a complaint with the Chief Fire Officer, prompting investigations that led to Dorkenu’s arrest.

Police also retrieved a Tecno Spark C30 mobile phone from the suspect, which investigators believe was used in carrying out the alleged fraud.

In his caution statement, made in the presence of an independent witness, Dorkenu admitted receiving the money but claimed he had also fallen victim to another fraud involving a Telecel phone number.

The prosecution told the court that the mobile phone has been sent for digital forensic analysis, while efforts are underway to trace the individual linked to the Telecel number as investigations continue.

Prince Antwi

See Full Bio