GRA Board Chair, Commissioner-General, lack integrity – Report

The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) is currently embroiled in a series of revenue assurance scandals, raising doubts about the perceived integrity of its Board Chairman, Tony Oteng-Gyasi, and Commissioner General, Reverend Dr. Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah.

Despite being figures with public acclaim for their honesty and principles, they are overseeing what some see as Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta’s final financial move before his departure at the end of the year.

Despite unsuccessful attempts to remove them, a KPMG probe follows the GRA’s board and management’s failed attempt to justify the Strategic Mobilization Limited (SML) transaction.

There are ongoing efforts to reverse President Akufo-Addo’s decision to investigate the SML deal, claiming potential revenue loss if the contract is suspended.

Mr Oteng-Gyasi and Mr Owusu-Amoah, considered highly moral and honest by some, are now under scrutiny for their roles in the controversial SML transaction.

Mr Oteng-Gyasi’s recent holiday during public scrutiny, along with his subsequent letter to the President urging reconsideration of the contract suspension, has sparked controversy.

Despite Mr Oteng-Gyasi’s historical involvement in advocating principles, as evidenced by a video discussing procurement malpractices in Ghana, his recent actions in the SML deal have raised questions about his commitment to these principles.

His political affiliations, spanning both the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and New Patriotic Party (NPP), add complexity to the situation.

The contradictions in Mr Oteng-Gyasi’s public life, from advocating nationalism to his involvement in controversial financial transactions, paint a complex picture.

His silence amid calls for transparency adds to the confusion, necessitating a response to address the concerns surrounding his public life.

As Oteng-Gyasi faces questions about his oversight of revenue assurance deals, the public awaits his response to allegations and a demonstration of commitment to the principles he champions.

His handling of these challenges will likely influence public perception of his stewardship of public resources.

The broader issue underscores concerns about public life and who truly champions public interest in the leadership of the GRA.