The Member of Parliament representing Ningo-Prampram, Sam Nartey George, has expressed serious reservations regarding the prolonged tenure of the Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Rev. Dr. Ammishaddai Adu Owusu-Amoah who has openly acknowledged surpassing his retirement age by three years.
Sam George highlighted the concern that the GRA chief has been occupying his role without a valid contract, and he specifically pointed out questionable contracts, including the $100 million deal with Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML-Ghana), currently under investigation.
Following a Public Accounts Committee meeting on Monday, January 29, 2024, the MP took the opportunity to criticize the Akufo-Addo government at a press briefing, asserting that the government’s apparent disregard for the law has contributed to what he perceives as a series of infractions.
Sam George outlined the situation, stating, “The Commissioner-General, Rev. Ammishaddai, assumed office in 2021. His contract officially ended when he turned 60. However, he has continued to work beyond 2022, exceeding the age of 60, and similarly in 2023. As of 2024, he is still in office. In a year, he will reach the age of 63—effectively operating for three years beyond his 60th birthday without a valid contract.”
Join our WhatsApp Channel for more news
“So, he has absolutely no legal basis to remain as commissioner-general of the GRA. Someone else who with him turned 60, Colonel Damuah, was asked to proceed or leave. So why is Ammishaddai still being kept at the GRA? And it is in this period, that he’s gone ahead to sign the 100 million contract with SML, the consolidated contract, for five years. That’s just one contract at a time where he, himself has no legal basis, he doesn’t have a contract extension,” he said.
Sam George who is a member of the Public Accounts Committee expressed concern about the country becoming a “crime scene” and called on President Akufo-Addo and Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta to explain why the GRA Commissioner is still in office despite reaching retirement age.
“Look, Ghana is becoming a crime scene and the president must answer. And look, I’ve had to raise this here because this is not the first time… the president cannot say he doesn’t know. Members of the academia have spoken about this. Civil society even wanted to carry out a demonstration on the 14th of January this year… We cannot continue like this, we country of laws.”
Credit: Part of text from Newsalertgh.com
