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‘When did you turn 60?’ – The question that caused confusion at GRA boss’s appearance before PAC
Monday’s Public Accounts Committee sitting was thrown into disarray when what sounded like a basic question became a bone of contention.
During the turn of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) at the meeting, Ningo-Prampram legislator, Sam George demanded to know the year in which the Authority’s Commissioner-General, Rev Dr Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah, attained the age of 60.
But another member of the committee responded, “Isn’t it personal? I think it is personal.”
This is how an unexpected 10 minutes of confusion over a birth year started.
Deputy Finance Minister, Abena Osei-Asare argued that the matter of age was a personal question.
But the Committee Chairman, James Klutse Avedzi, was visibly taken aback by this response.
He debunked that concern, explaining that the GRA boss is a public official and was therefore not shielded from making such information public.
“The officer to whom the question is directed is a public officer… It is not personal,” he said.
Sam George’s question was premised on the fact that the government, through the Finance Minister, had declared that it would not extend the contracts of people above 60 years old, especially when their expertise was not scarce.
The uproar grew for some time, with the Chairman having to step in multiple times to ensure that Dr. Amishaddai answered the simple question.
After about 6 minutes of tension, the GRA boss had attempted to invite the Deputy Finance Minister to have a word on his behalf again, but James Klutse Avedzi would have none of that.
“He is a public officer. We have the laws that govern this country, fortunately, if you attain the age of 60, you have the opportunity to be given a contract. If he is on contract, he will tell us and that and that will solve it. What is your problem? If he is not up to 60, he will say it. What is your problem?”
“Mr Commissioner General, kindly respond to the question,” he directed.
Abena Osei-Asare later walked across the room to engage the questioner, Sam George, while the room was left with the heavy absence of the answer to that single question.
There was no word from the GRA boss for another two to three minutes thereafter—just murmuring among the GRA boss, the Deputy Minister, and the group of officials in the background who had trooped in to support him.
The Chairman of the Committee had to adjourn the sitting on this note for 45 minutes due to a sudden malfunction of the public address system in the room.
It was after this break that the GRA boss decided to answer the question.
“I turned 62 in October 2023,” he told the committee.
Asked whether he has been working on contract, Reverend Ammishaddai responded, “Mr Chairman, as far as I know, a letter was sent to the board for me to continue working until it is sorted out with the Ministry of Finance and the appointing authority.”
Speaking to the media after the sitting, Sam George described the continuous stay of the GRA Commissioner as unconstitutional, asking the President to do right by the constitution.
He said he would be forced to raise the issue on the floor of Parliament upon resumption if the president fails.
In February last year, political scientist Prof Ransford Gyampo cited unfair and illegitimate contract extensions for key officers at the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).
The officers include the Commissioner General, Rev. Dr. Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah, who has been at post even though his post-retirement contract ended in 2021.
The happenings at the revenue mobilisation outfit are creating tension and do not augur well for its proper functioning.
According to Prof Gyampo, the Akufo-Addo-led “Government initiated a great policy to suspend the granting of post retirement contract to people working in some state agencies where labour and expertise aren’t scarce, as part of expenditure rationalization measures. In accordance with this many requests for post-retirement contracts have been turned down.”
True to the policy “Kofi Nti, a former GRA Commissioner General who was appointed on a 4-year contract was made to leave office halfway his contract after serving only two and half years, because he reached the retirement age of 60 before the expiration of his contract. He was not given a contract extension.
Amishaddai Amoah took over from Kofi Nti and together with Col. Damoah and Juliana Essiam who worked in the same area of revenue generation; they all attained 60 years 2 years ago.
“Col. Damoah was made to leave office because, among other controversial legal tussles, he had also attained the retirement age of 60 years. But Amishaddai was given a one year contract extension upon attaining 60 years.”Col. Damoah was made to leave office because, among other controversial legal tussles, he had also attained the retirement age of 60 years. But Amishaddai was given a one year contract extension upon attaining 60 years.
“Even though the illegitimate contract extension of Amishaddai expired in 2021, he was made to remain at post without any official contract or official cover for another one (1) whole year ending last year 2022. I am reliably informed that, the board chairman of the GRA with support from Ken Ofori Atta, is unilaterally and without recourse to his board members, seeking two more years of post-retirement contract extension for next Amishaddai. This has created deep seated tension and anger among board members of the GRA in a manner that would not auger well for revenue generation and collection,’” he revealed.
Source: Myjoyonline.com
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GEXIM to host “SME GO” programme stakeholder sensitisation and fair on September 18
The Ghana Export – Import Bank (GEXIM) in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ghana Enterprises Agency and Development Bank of Ghana will be hosting the final phase of the stakeholder sensitisation exercise on the Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Growth and Opportunity (SME GO) Programme at the Bank’s headquarters located at the Africa Trade House, in Accra.
The stakeholder sensitisation event is scheduled to take place on Wednesday SSeptember18, 2024 at 10 am and will give attendees a deeper insight into the SME GO Programme with a focus on the dynamics of the programme, eligibility criteria application process and how the initiative seeks to assist Ghanaian SMEs to scale up and compete favorably in the international marketplace.
The confirmed speakers and dignitaries for the event will highlight how Ghanaian SMEs can leverage on the SME GO Programme to build the capacities and make them sustainable.
They include Hon. Abena Osei-Asare, Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance, Hon. K. T. Hammond, Minister of Trade and Industry, Hon. Nii Kwartei Titus Glover, Greater Accra Regional Minister as well as the Chief Executive Officers of the Ghana Enterprises Agency and Development Bank of Ghana.
Alongside the stakeholder sensitisation event, GEXIM will be hosting a special edition of its popular SME Fair dubbed “SME GO Mart” at the forecourt of the Africa Trade House, from 8am to 8pm.
The theme for the “SME GO Mart” is “Celebrating Ghanaian SMEs” and it will provide a platform for Ghanaian entrepreneurs to showcase various top-quality Made-In-Ghana products.
Over hundred Ghanaian entrepreneurs with unique products have been confirmed to participate in the fair.
They will be exhibiting several unique and authentic products at unbeatable prices including food and ingredients, beverages, skin and beauty care products, textiles, apparel, garments, leather footwear, slippers, and many others.
In July 2024, the Government of Ghana through the Ministry of Finance launched the SME GO Programme, a ground breaking initiative which sought to provide Ghanaian SMEs with the needed funds, requisite technology and knowledge as well as other relevant resources and tools to aid their growth to become international giants.
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Zipline, GHS reduce maternal mortality in Ashanti Region by 56.4% – Study
A recent impact assessment study on aerial logistics to improve maternal health and emergencies has revealed a remarkable reduction in maternal mortality by 56.4% in Ghana’s Ashanti Region, thanks to the collaborative efforts of Zipline and the Ghana Health Service (GHS).
This was revealed at the National Ghana Health Service Research Conference organized by the Ghana Health Service in partnership with Zipline. The study, which focused on the impact of aerial logistics in healthcare, also noted a 19.9% increase in antenatal visits and a 25% rise in in-facility births, signaling a significant boost in maternal health outcomes.
The success according to the study is attributed to the on-demand availability of blood and essential medical supplies provided by Zipline’s innovative drone delivery system. This consistent access to critical resources has increased patient confidence in the healthcare system, encouraging more mothers to seek necessary care throughout their pregnancies.
Speaking on the highlight of the study, the Research Officer at Ashanti Regional Health Directorate stated, “the significant decrease in maternal mortality we’ve seen is a clear indication of the vital role that reliable access to medical supplies plays in healthcare. The ability to deliver blood and essential medicines exactly when they’re needed has transformed how mothers in the Ashanti Region perceive and engage with the healthcare system.”
“It’s an achievement that speaks to the importance of introducing technology in healthcare delivery. Mothers now feel more confident in seeking care, knowing that they will receive the support they need throughout their pregnancies,”he stated.
The study examined data from 191 health facilities, including hospitals, health centers, and Community-based Health and Planning Services (CHPS) Compounds. Among these, 99 facilities were served by Zipline’s aerial logistics, while 91 were not. The research employed adjusted rates for various key indicators, such as antenatal consultations, emergency visits, referrals, live births, hysterectomies, maternal deaths, and neonatal deaths, as the main dependent variables.
The qualitative aspect of the study aimed to describe and analyze the changes in satisfaction levels among healthcare providers and patients, perceived quality of care in maternal health and emergencies, and experiences related to the use of aerial logistics. In-depth interviews were conducted with 22 patients and 23 healthcare providers at the participating facilities.
Globally, maternal mortality remains a critical public health challenge, with stark disparities between high-income and low-to-middle-income countries (LMICs).
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the majority of maternal deaths occur in LMICs, often due to preventable causes. In Ghana, particularly in the Ashanti Region, the problem is critical, reflecting the broader challenges faced across the African continent. Beyond this, socio-economic, geographic, and infrastructural factors intensify the risks associated with pregnancy and childbirth, highlighting the urgent need for innovative solutions to improve maternal health outcomes.
As maternal mortality continues to pose a challenge in low-to-middle-income countries, the success seen in Ghana’s Ashanti Region offers a promising model for other regions and nations striving to improve maternal health outcomes through innovative solutions.
Zipline is poised to continue leading the way in revolutionizing healthcare delivery, ensuring that every mother has access to the life-saving resources, no matter where she lives.
