The Member of Parliament (MP) for Sekondi, Andrew Egyapa Mercer, says he trusts President Akufo-Addo’s judgement in appointing the former Board Chair of the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA), Kwame Owusu as the new Board Chair of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).
“I trust the president’s judgement…” he said.
Speaking on Uniiq FM’s current affairs programme ‘Focus’, the MP noted that although the public outcry against the appointment of the former Director-General of the Ghana Maritime Authority, to GRA, is unfair, it is important for allegations of impropriety against him to be cleared and urged government to publish the report that clears him.
For his part, the Member of Parliament for Odododiodio Constituency, Nii Lante Vanderpuye, said the appointment of Kwame Owusu is in bad taste adding that, the new GRA Board Chair is not fit for the position because he did not show prudent management, and proper use of public funds during his tenure as the Ghana Maritime Authority Board Chair.
The Acting Head of Programmes for the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition, Bright Sowu, also added that when it comes to corruption, competency is not enough grounds for any appointment.
A Governance Expert, Prof. Albert Puni, also said government must explain to the public, the reason for appointing Kwame Owusu to the GRA.
Background
The former Director-General of the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA), Kwame Owusu made several headlines in November 2018 for spending GHc1 million to renovate a 2-bedroom house.
He was also accused of using over GHc10,000 to host a lunch meeting for 17 people at a hotel he owns.
Government subsequently instituted a probe into the matter.
By: Mabel Adu Boahen.
