Madam Julie Essiam, the Deputy Commissioner General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) overseeing Support Services, has been appointed as the new Commissioner General of the GRA, replacing Rev. Dr. Amishaddai Owusu-Amoah, who is reported to have been dismissed.

The GRA's Board Chairman, Dr. Tony Oteng Gyasi, has reportedly resigned due to his strong opposition to Essiam's appointment, alleging that she is favored by former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta.

Reports indicate that some GRA staff are vehemently against Essiam's promotion to the top role due to her strict and principled management style. They are reportedly planning to protest against the appointment through various means.

Earlier this year, Rev. Dr. Amishaddai Owusu-Amoah faced criticism for staying in office for two years beyond the compulsory retirement age without a contract.

Last week, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia criticized the GRA boss for publicly pursuing corporate tax defaulters.

Both the GRA Board Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer (Commissioner-General) are appointed by the President of Ghana.

Profile

Ms. Julie Essiam is an accomplished Banking Executive with a professional passion for sustainable transformation and development work; whether it is developing and transforming businesses, developing talent or transforming communities. Ms. Julie Essiam is currently the Commissioner responsible for the Support Services Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority.

Prior to her appointment Ms. Julie Essiam was the Group Executive at the Ecobank Group with branches covering 40 countries across North America, Europe, Africa and other parts of the world.

With a passion for transforming communities, and as the initiator of several and impactful community based programs. Ms. Julie Essiam is a firm believer in investing in the next generation and therefore has dedicated the last fifteen years of her professional life working with the youth in monitoring and supporting them shape their thinking around their respective life journeys.

She is the concept originator and the founder of Africans4Africa (A4A) initiation; a private sector led development organization that calls for a collaborative effort across the leadership of Africa to contribute to the successful achievement of an impactful transformation of the continent towards a thriving and prosperous Africa.

Ms. Julie Essiam was a member of Ecobank Group Executive Committee, and has been on the boards of Ecobank Zambia, the Ecobank Foundation and three board committees of the Ecobank Group-Finance and Audit, Risk and HR. Ms. Julie Essiam was also the immediate past Board Member of the Global fund and the President of the Private Sector delegation of the Global fund.