National Biosafety Authority In The Eye of The Storm

The National Biosafety Authority (NBA), a key institution tasked with overseeing the regulation of modern biotechnology in the country, has recently come under public scrutiny following reports of alleged nepotism, conflict of interest, and procedural violations involving two sisters occupying prominent roles within the Authority. Concerns have surfaced regarding whether the NBA is serving the public’s interest or succumbing to favoritism and conflicts that may undermine its mandate.

At the center of the controversy are two sisters, Madam Gloria Siebe Obeng (née Mintah), the Senior Private Secretary, and Ms. Esther Adubea Mintah, the Human Resource Officer. Both play significant roles within the Authority, with concerns mounting over their influence on each other’s duties. They reportedly share the same office and are said to often act in each other’s stead when one is absent, raising questions about role overlaps and compliance with the Public Services Commission HR Manual.

Critics allege that this dual presence within the Authority has fostered a work environment more reflective of family interests than public service. For instance, Ms. Mintah, the HR Officer, is reported to hand over responsibilities to her sister, Madam Gloria, when on leave—despite the availability of other qualified officers at her grade. Such actions, observers argue, bypass established protocols and present a clear case of potential conflict of interest.

Furthermore, both sisters hold seats on the Authority’s Interim Management Team (IMT), a group tasked with guiding the NBA’s strategic decisions. This arrangement is said to have led to instances of preferential treatment and conflicts with other staff members, sparking concerns that the two may work in tandem to advance each other’s interests within the organization. Adding to these concerns, Madam Gloria is reportedly a signatory to the Authority’s account, an influential role with substantial financial oversight responsibilities.

The situation is further complicated by reports of Madam Esther Mintah providing goods and services from her own private business for NBA board and committee meetings. Staff members have expressed discomfort with the perceived overlap between her personal business interests and her public service role, viewing it as another example of conflict of interest.

In September 2024, both sisters intended to attend an HR training organized by the Public Services Commission (PSC) for senior HR managers. However, upon learning that the sisters had registered for the event despite neither holding the required managerial rank, NBA’s internal audit team reportedly intervened, deciding that only one representative should attend. Following this, Ms. Mintah allegedly contacted the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation (MESTI) to appeal the decision. This action has been interpreted by some as an attempt to leverage family connections within the organization and has reportedly contributed to an atmosphere of tension among staff.

Current and past leaders of the NBA are said to be aware of the concerns surrounding the sisters’ roles. Sources claim that the immediate past CEO, the acting CEO, and even the current Board Chairman have acknowledged the ethical issues at hand but have yet to take meaningful steps toward resolving them. A letter outlining these concerns was reportedly submitted to the new CEO in October 2024, though employees claim that no corrective action has been taken, sparking fears that those in power may be reluctant to address the issue.

Some NBA employees, wary of possible reprisals, have chosen to remain anonymous in their efforts to bring attention to these allegations. However, their hopes remain that with growing public awareness, the authorities will address the situation and implement necessary reforms to uphold ethical standards.

The case of Gloria and Esther Mintah raises important questions about transparency, accountability, and adherence to the principles that public institutions are expected to uphold. With the NBA under increased scrutiny, stakeholders within the public sector are now watching closely to see whether the Authority will take the necessary steps to realign with the values it was established to protect.