Sam George Questions GRA Commissioner’s Extended Stay Amid Retirement Age and Contract Concerns

The Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Rev. Dr Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah, on Monday, January 29, 2024, buckled under the intense scrutiny of the Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, Samuel Nartey George.

During a session of the Public Accounts Committee, Sam George, a member of the committee, raised concerns about the continued tenure of the Commissioner General.

Top news parliamentary correspondent Yesmeen Abubakar Present, reports that the query arose when it was disclosed that Dr. Owusu-Amoah, aged 62, was working without a contract. Sam George in asking a Public Interest Question, referenced a statement by the Finance Minister in Parliament and inquired about the President’s commitment not to extend the stay of any public servant beyond the retirement age.

The GRA Commissioner, during the proceedings, openly admitted that he is past the retirement age of 60 and has been without a contract for two years, now entering his third post-retirement year.

The revelation prompted the Minority in Parliament to express concerns about his continued service beyond the mandatory retirement age. Sam George specifically questioned the employment status of the GRA boss, highlighting the two-year extension beyond the retirement age.

The intensity of the inquiries led to vehement protests from a Deputy Finance Minister, Abena Osei-Asare and other NPP MPs on the committee who tagged the questions as ‘personal.’ But the Chairman of the PAC, James Klutse Avedzi overruled those objections and directed the Commissioner to answer the questions posed to him by Mr Sam George.

At this stage, the microphones and public address system as if by some grand orchestration, went off resulting in a temporary suspension of the proceedings.

Upon the resumption of the session, Dr. Ammishaddai clarified, stating, “I turned 62 in October 2023.”

Regarding his contract status, he mentioned that a letter was sent to the board for him to continue working until it is resolved with the Ministry of Finance and the appointing authority.