…..Over Contract Extension For Commissioners

Dr Anthony Oteng-Gyasi, the Board Chairman of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has set tongues wagging over what is described as a secret letter written to President Akufo-Addo.

According to the sources, the Board Chairman with the support of Finance Minister Ken Ofori, wants the president to extend the contract of some three top officers of the Authority.

They are Alhaji Seidu Iddrisu Iddisah, Customs Commissioner, Ms. Julie Essiam, Commissioner Support Services Division and Dr. Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah, Commissioner–General of the GRA.

Interestingly, Dr. Owusu-Amoah whose illegitimate contract extension expired in 2021, was made to remain at post without any official contract or official cover for another one (1) whole year ending last year 2022.

Alhaji Seidu Iddrisu Iddisah who took over from Colonel K Damoah turns sixty (60) on Sunday February 26, 2023.

Other members of the Board sources say are incensed by the action of the Board Chairman.

In their view, the clandestine style the letter was smuggled to the President smug off mischief.

However, the Board members who are currently in London are expected back in Ghana over the weekend to deliberate on the letter which has since been a matter of controversy among them.

It is unclear why there is the hasty desire to have the contracts of the officers which have come to an end renewed although the Office of the President has been markedly reluctant to renew contracts of appointees who have reached retirement age.

Mr. Kofi Nti, a former GRA Commissioner General who was appointed on a 4 year contract was made to leave office halfway his contract after serving only two and half years because he reached the retirement age of 60 before the expiration of his contract.

Strangely, he was not given a contract extension.

Colonel K Damoah was also made to leave office because, among other controversial legal tussles, he had also attained the retirement age of 60 years.