A group identifying itself as Concerned Citizens of Ghana has declared intentions to stage a protest at the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) headquarters on January 15, 2024. Their primary demand is the immediate removal of the current Commissioner-General, Rev. Dr. Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah, citing his prolonged tenure beyond the legally mandated retirement age for public officials.
The group spokesperson, Charles Akowuah, emphasized that both Rev. Ammishaddai and Ms. Julie Essiam, the Commissioner responsible for the Support Services Division at GRA, have allegedly exceeded the constitutionally stipulated 60-year retirement threshold for civil servants. Akowuah highlighted concerns over the extension of their contracts until 2021, contending that this contravenes established retirement policies within the GRA.
“We have discovered that Rev. Ammishaddai and Ms. Julie Essiam have consciously remained in their roles despite surpassing the age of 60,” stated Akowuah. He further expressed the group’s anticipation of approximately 1,500 individuals rallying at the GRA offices following January 15, 2024, as a display of their dissatisfaction.
The imminent protest aims to address what the Concerned Citizens of Ghana perceive as a violation of institutional retirement norms within the GRA leadership. The group seeks a resolution through the removal of the current Commissioner-General and the Commissioner responsible for the Support Services Division, emphasizing adherence to established retirement policies.