The Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, Sam Nartey George, has raised concerns about the prolonged stay in office of the Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Rev. Dr. Ammishaddai Adu Owusu-Amoah, who acknowledged surpassing his retirement age three years ago.
According to Sam George, the GRA boss has been occupying his position without a valid contract, engaging in questionable contracts such as the $100 million deal with Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML-Ghana), currently under investigation.
Addressing journalists after a Public Accounts Committee sitting on Monday, January 29, 2024, the MP criticized the Akufo-Addo government for its disregard for the law, contributing to what he described as a series of crimes committed by the government.
“The Commissioner-General, Rev Ammishaddai, was brought into office in 2021. When he turned 60, his contract ended. He has worked through 2022 above the age of 60, 2023 above the age of 60 and 2024 he is continuing. In a year he will turn 63 – for three years post his 60th birthday without a contract.”
“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.”
Source:newsalertgh