Drama at Public Accounts hearing as Sam George probes age of GRA Commissioner

Member of the Public Account Committee of Parliament and MP for Ningo-Prapram, Sam George has questioned the continued stay of the Commissioner General of the Ghana Revenue Authority, Dr. Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah, in office.

He raised the issue during a meeting of the Public Accounts Committee on January 29.

Sam George’s question was necessitated by a revelation that Dr Owusu-Amoah is 62 years old and currently working without a contract.

The MP for Ningo-Prampram, in asking a Public Interest Question, reminded the Committee of the Finance Ministers statement to Parliament that President Akuffo-Addo has resolved to not extend the stay of any public servant who attains the retirement age, hence the need to ascertain whether or not the GRA’s Commissioner-General is on contract.

Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the Committee’s meeting, Sam George said, “it is important for the Finance Minister and the President to explain to the nation why the Commissioner General is kept in office without a contract and yet signing contracts running into millions of dollars for the state?”

“In 2021 when he turned 60, his contract ended. He has worked through 2022, above the age of 60, 2023 and in 2024, is continuing in a year he will turn 63, three years post his 60th birthday without a contract. So, he has absolutely no basis to remain as Commissioner General of the GRA… so why is Amishadai being kept at the GRA? And it is this period that he has signed a million-dollar question,” Sam George stressed.

The drama ensued when a Deputy Finance Minister, Abena Asare insisted that Dr Owusu-Amoah could not answer the question because it is personal.

However, the Chairman, Mr James Klutse Avedzi ruled that so long as the Commissioner is a public servant, he ought to answer the question.

“If the Commissioner General attains the age of 60, he can be given a contract. If the member is asking a question about his age, he should answer the question and say I am 60, but I am on contract. Whatever the Finance Minister said, we can take the Finance Minister on. Commissioner General, can you answer the question?” Mr Avedzi asked.

At this juncture, the microphone developed a fault which necessitated a 45-minute suspension of proceedings.