President Mahama Sued Over Appointment of New GRA Boss

President Mahama Sued Over Appointment of New GRA Boss
H.E John Dramani
Written By : Priscilla Boakye
Emmanuella Sarfowaah has initiated legal action against Ghana's President, John Dramani Mahama, challenging the appointment of Anthony Kwasi Sarpong as the Acting Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA). The lawsuit was officially lodged through the Attorney General, Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, and lists President Mahama, Anthony Kwasi Sarpong, and the GRA itself as defendants. This legal battle centers around the contentious appointment made on January 21, 2025, following the unexpected resignation of the previous Commissioner-General, Julie Essiam, on January 20, 2025.


Sarfowaah's lawsuit raises significant questions about the legality and ethicality of Sarpong's appointment. She contends that there exists a direct conflict of interest because Anthony Kwasi Sarpong, prior to his appointment, was a Senior Partner at KPMG, a major auditing and consulting firm with extensive engagements in Ghana's financial sector. Sarfowaah argues that Sarpong's continued affiliation with KPMG could potentially compromise the integrity of the GRA, which is responsible for tax collection and ensuring fiscal compliance across the nation.


Another critical point of Sarfowaah's legal challenge is the procedural irregularity she claims in the appointment process. She asserts that at the time of Sarpong's appointment, the GRA did not have a functioning Governing Council. According to Ghana's constitution and the Ghana Revenue Authority Act, 2009 (Act 791), the President is supposed to appoint the Commissioner-General after receiving advice from the GRA's Governing Council, in consultation with the Public Services Commission. Without this council in place, Sarfowaah argues, the appointment is not only procedurally flawed but also in violation of the legal framework governing public office appointments.


In her legal filings, Sarfowaah is seeking several judicial remedies. She is demanding that the court declare the appointment of Sarpong as unlawful and subsequently revoke it. She also requests a permanent injunction to prevent Sarpong from serving as the Acting Commissioner-General of the GRA. Additionally, she seeks to bar President Mahama and any future GRA Governing Council from appointing Sarpong to this position or any similar role within the authority.


The legal documents also outline that Sarfowaah is challenging not just the individual's suitability but the very process by which the appointment was made, emphasizing the need for transparency and adherence to constitutional norms in governmental appointments.


The lawsuit has sparked a broader conversation about governance, accountability, and the ethical considerations in appointing public officials in Ghana. It has also drawn attention to the mechanisms of checks and balances within the country's political system, with many watching closely to see how this case might influence future appointments and the interpretation of legal requirements for public office.





The defendants have been instructed by the court to file their defense within eight days of receiving the lawsuit, setting the stage for what could be a landmark case on public appointments and conflicts of interest in Ghana. The outcome could have significant implications for how appointments are made, the role of advisory bodies in such processes, and the broader governance practices in the country.

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