"Saleswoman 36, on 119 million cedis theft charge", a Ghanaian Times front page headline says.

The Times says Abena Asamoah, a 36-year-old saleswoman, has appeared before an Accra Circuit Tribunal charged with stealing 119 million cedis belonging to her employer, Madam Janet Amoakohene, 44, an Accra trader in second-hand clothing.

The paper says Abena who faces an additional charge of issuing two false cheques totalling 36 million cedis, pleaded not guilty and was granted 30 million cedis bail with one surety to be justified. She is to re-appear before the court on October 12.

The prosecution had told the court that Abena was in charge of the sales of goods at the complainant's shop at Kantamanto in Accra. She was responsible for selling the items at wholesale price, as well as receiving the moneys and depositing them in the bank.

Some time in May, this year, the complainant travelled to the United States and on her return realised that the cash on hand did not tally with the goods left after a stock-taking.

An inventory was then taken in the presence of Abena and 119 million cedis could not be accounted for.

The accused admitted the shortage, and explained that she used 34 million cedis for herself and gave out goods valued at 85 million cedis on credit to customers.

Abena promised the complainant to settle the shortage within two weeks but failed to do so, the Times quotes the prosecution as telling the court. GRi