The former Director-General of the Ghana Maritime Authority, Kwame Owusu, has accused the finance minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, of obstructing his approval as the board chair of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).

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According to him, despite being President Akufo-Addo's primary choice for the role, the appointment was thwarted due to opposition from certain members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), including the finance minister.

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In an interview with the media on August 21, 2023, Owusu claimed that his failure to secure the GRA board chair position was due to internal party sabotage.

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He mentioned that President Akufo-Addo selected him for the role due to his extensive 12-year experience in taxation, as the government was incurring losses.

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Consequently, Owusu was requested to resign from his position at the Ghana Maritime Authority and join the GRA.

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Owusu further explained that his appointment was delayed by some NPP members, including Ofori-Atta, who were concerned that he would impede their interests if appointed as the board chair of GRA.

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Despite his approval by the necessary channels, the finance minister's reluctance to affirm the appointment led to a prolonged delay, leaving the GRA without a board chair for several months.

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Owusu's assertion was that his perceived capacity to perform impartially and to prioritize the nation's interests rather than party agendas led certain individuals to oppose his appointment.

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He likened his situation to a broader trend within the party, where individuals who were expected to challenge the status quo were met with resistance from those who feared their intentions.

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In sum, Kwame Owusu, a former high-ranking official, alleged that his prospective appointment as the board chair of the GRA was hindered by internal party politics and the perceived threat he posed to certain interests within the party.

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