Col. Damoah, GRA Commissioner, is fired by Akufo Addo; orders him to hand over
Col. Damoah, GRA Commissioner, is fired by Akufo Addo; orders him to hand over
Col. Damoah, GRA Commissioner, is fired by Akufo Addo; orders him to hand over
Colonel Kwadwo Damoah, Commissioner of the Ghana Revenue Authority’s (GRA) Customs Division, has been told to transfer his responsibilities by President Akufo-Addo.
The rule becomes operative on Friday, August 26, 2022.
The instruction was stated in a letter from the Presidency that was signed by Nana Bediatuo Asante, the President’s Executive Secretary.
“Following the expiration of your contract of service as Commissioner (Custom Division) of the Ghana Revenue Authority on October 13, 2021, the President of the Republic has directed that effective Friday, August 26, 2022, you hand over your duties and office to the acting Deputy Commissioner (Preventive Service), Seidu Iddrisu Iddisah, who will act as the Commissioner (Customs Division) pending the President’s substantive appointment.”
“The President thanks you for your service to the state and wishes you well in your future endeavours.”
In recent weeks, Col. Kwadwo Damoah (Rtd) has made headlines due to the Special Prosecutor’s investigation into Labianca, a foreign food importer that raised suspicions of irregularities at the port.
The inquiry came to the conclusion that the owner of Labianca had gotten favors for her business by abusing her power as a board member of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) at the time.
The Special Prosecutor obtained GH1.074 million from Eunice Jacqueline Buah Asomah-business, Hinneh’s whose owner also serves on the Council of State.
The OSP also issued a citation to Joseph Adu Kyei, a Deputy Commissioner of Customs in charge of Operations, for issuing what it deemed to be an illegal customs advance ruling.
According to the investigation, this resulted in lower benchmark values for the commodities Labianca Limited imported, which in turn resulted in lower tax liabilities for the business to the government.
Col. Kwadwo Damoah (Rtd), who spoke at the Customs Division Management retreat in Kumasi, argued that the Special Prosecutor’s report was issued with malicious purpose.
The OSP “is trying to indict the deputy and myself,” according to Col. Damoah (Rtd), who also claimed that it was intended to discredit the Customs officials.
It’s unclear, though, whether the President’s order had anything to do with this.
