Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority is occupying his position illegally- Sam George explains why

Ningo-Prampram Member of Parliament (MP) , Sam George, asserts that the Commissioner General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Reverend Amishaddai Owusu-Amoah, is holding his position unlawfully.

The MP cites multiple reasons to substantiate his claims, primarily emphasizing the Commissioner-General‘s age as a significant factor.

Sam George contends that Reverend Amishaddai Owusu-Amoah has been executing the duties of the Commissioner-General without a valid contract since October 2021.

The absence of a contractual agreement raises questions about the legitimacy of his continued tenure in the crucial position.

Furthermore, the MP accuses the GRA Commissioner General of endorsing questionable contracts, specifically mentioning the controversial $100 million SML sweetheart deal.

According to Sam George, these contracts were approved with the support of Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, who, in the eyes of the MP, is implicated in the alleged illegality.

During the public hearings of the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament, Sam George also alleges that Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has tacitly approved the Commissioner General’s illicit occupation.

The MP questions the uniqueness of Reverend Amishaddai Owusu-Amoah’s skills, suggesting that the violation of the country’s laws may be unjustifiably endorsed.

The accusations and revelations add a new layer of controversy to the operations of the GRA, putting the spotlight on the Commissioner General’s purported illegal occupancy and raising concerns about the transparency and adherence to regulations within the institution.

Below is the full statement by Sam George:

Yesterday, at the public hearings of the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament, I asked a very simple Public Interest Question of the Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority, Reverend Amishaddai Owusu-Amoah.

My very simple question was which year did he attain the age of 60. Boom! Drama began. My Colleagues on the NPP side got upset with my question and a 90 minute stand off ensued including a mysterious ‘fault’ with the PA system .

After the 90 minute break, I manage to get a response from him and I am allowed only one follow up question by the Chairman. That question was if the Commissioner-General had a valid contract to remain at post. He answered that for the past twenty seven (27) months, he has occupied the position without a contract.

Now for those wondering why I asked these questions, here are the issues;

1. Rev. Dr. Ammishaddai turned 60 years in October 2021,  twenty seven (27) months ago.

2. Per the Public Service Commission of Ghana regulations, anyone above the age of 60 can be maintained with a 1/2-year contract with the possibility of an extension of another year.

3. Since October 2021, Rev. Dr. Ammishaddai has been at post and carried out functions as the Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority without a contract. He has signed contracts like the dubious $100 million SML sweetheart deal with the approval and support of Ken Ofori-Atta.

4. Rev. Dr. Ammishaddai replaced Mr. Kofi Nti as Commissioner-General when the later still had 18 months of his four (4) year contract outstanding. The reason his contract was terminated was that he had turned 60 years.

5. The question we need answers to is why Ken Ofori-Atta has kept his darling Rev. Dr. Ammishaddai at post for another twenty seven (27) months without a contract?

6. The same Ken Ofori-Atta told Parliament that President Akufo-Addo had given instructions that contract extensions beyond the age of 60 would cease except in exceptional cases where the skill of the individual in question is unique and not readily available. What skill does Rev. Dr. Ammishaddai have that is unique and for which reason the laws of the country have been broken?

7. Rev. Dr. Ammishaddai cannot and should not be allowed to continue his stay in office even one day longer. There must be a forensic audit of his actions in the past 27 months to ascertain what damage his illegal stay has caused the tax payer. I would pursue this matter to its logical conclusion. For God and Country.

Yesterday, at the public hearings of the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament, I asked a very simple Public Interest Question of the Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority, Reverend Amishaddai Owusu-Amoah.

My very simple question was which year did he attain the… pic.twitter.com/XWbnDhj3dK

— Sam 'Dzata' George 🦁🇬🇭 (@samgeorgegh) January 30, 2024