The recent series of dismissals and appointments by President Akufo-Addo, involving the removal of Dr. John Ofori-Tenkorang as Director-General of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) and Rev. Dr. Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah as Commissioner General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), has raised questions about the president’s motives.
President of IMANI-Africa, Franklin Cudjoe, expressed concerns regarding the lack of transparency and explanation surrounding these decisions, particularly in response to the sudden termination of the SSNIT Director-General’s appointment.
In a Facebook post, Cudjoe underscored the significant accomplishments achieved under the leadership of both the outgoing Commissioner General of GRA and the SSNIT Director-General, particularly in the areas of pension fund protection and financial performance improvement.
“First, it was the GRA board and its Commissioner that got axed crudely by an executive fiat – no reasons given. However, under the previous board, Ghana has, for the first time, attained 14% tax to GDP ( from 11-12% for many years), a critical milestone under Ghana’s IMF programme. Now, SSNIT’s Director-General, who has 9 months left of his tenure, has been sacked by the President with immediate effect. There are no reasons given for terminating the DG.
“The DG’s foresight and a bit of luck prevented our pensions from the unforgiving jaws of the cantankerous debt restructuring programme (DDEP) by holding minimal government paper. The DG’s leadership has been unrepentant in chasing government arrears and expanding coverage to the self-employed. The leadership has managed to divest SSNIT’s ownership in hotels to prevent haemorrhaging pension funds. Crucially, SSNIT has been scaling down on real estate investment, which has never been profitable but beloved by politicians with control over SSNIT,” he pointed out.
Observing the replacements of the two officials with individuals perceived as politically compliant, Cudjoe sounded the alarm regarding the potential risks associated with such appointments. He cautioned against appointing individuals solely based on political allegiance, emphasizing the importance of competence and independence in leadership roles.
Cudjoe’s concerns extend beyond the immediate implications for SSNIT and GRA. He questions the President’s overarching agenda, speculating whether these actions aim to consolidate political support or facilitate undisclosed contracts in the final hours of the President’s tenure.
He believes these concerns have widespread repercussions for the country, the government, the New Patriotic Party (NPP), and its flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
“The replacements in these two institutions, GRA and SSNIT, are seen by many as very pliant political obedients. And that is dangerous. What exactly is the President’s grand plan? Consolidate his base or push through curious contracts this last hour? These whimsical acts without explanation actually hurt the country, his government, party and Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia,” he wrote.