President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo Appoints Julie Essiam as New GRA Commissioner-GeneralPresident Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has made a significant change in leadership at the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) by appointing Julie Essiam as the new Commissioner-General, replacing Rev Dr Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah.

0

The appointment of the 61-year-old Julie Essiam is expected to spark controversy, as one of the key reasons for the heightened campaign for Rev Dr Ammishaddai's exit was his age.Critics argued strongly that Rev Dr Ammishaddai, aged 62, had surpassed the age limit for public officials and therefore needed to resign or be dismissed by the president.

1

According to the National Pensions Regulatory Authority, the retirement age in Ghana is legislatively set between 55 and 60 years. Fifty-five to fifty-nine years is considered voluntary retirement age, while 60 years is compulsory retirement age.

2

It is worth noting that concerned citizens had previously gathered at the GRA headquarters to demand the removal of Rev Dr Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah and Julie Essiam, who at the time was the Commissioner Responsible for Support Services at GRA.In a statement, the protesters pointed out that both Rev. Ammishaddai and Ms. Julie Essiam were still in office despite surpassing the retirement age of 60.

3

Another concern raised in the statement was the continued tenure of Rev. Ammishaddai and Ms. Julie Essiam without valid contracts, which was seen as a violation of the country's retirement laws.Ningo-Prampram Member of Parliament, Sam Nartey George, also expressed criticism of the situation, questioning why the rules were allegedly disregarded to allow the two to continue serving at GRA.

4

In a post on social media on January 30, Sam George wrote, "For the past twenty seven (27) months, he has occupied the position without a contract...The question we need answers to is why Ken Ofori-Atta has kept his darling Rev. Dr. Ammishaddai at post for another twenty-seven (27) months without a contract?"

5