Citizen sues government over appointment of GRA Boss
She is challenging the appointment of Anthony Kwasi Sarpong as the Acting Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).
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A private citizen, Emmanuella Sarfowaah, has taken legal action against Ghana’s President, John Dramani Mahama, through the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dominic Akuritinga Ayine.
She is challenging the appointment of Anthony Kwasi Sarpong as the Acting Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).
Court documents indicate that Sarfowaah’s case questions the legality of President Mahama’s decision to appoint Sarpong to the role.
The High Court writ names President Mahama, represented by the Attorney General as the third defendant, Anthony Kwasi Sarpong as the first defendant, and the GRA as the second defendant in the suit.
According to the plaintiff, the appointment raises a potential conflict of interest, given that Sarpong is still associated with KPMG, where he is listed as a senior partner. Sarfowaah argues that his role at KPMG, a global accounting firm with operations in Ghana, could present ethical concerns regarding his leadership at the GRA.
Additionally, the plaintiff contends that the process of appointing a Commissioner-General was flawed, as there was no Governing Council in place at the time of the appointment, which she deems illegal.
“The Plaintiff asserts that before and as of January 26, 2025, the 1st Defendant was still listed as a Senior Partner at KPMG, a position defined on the KPMG website as equivalent to the Chief Executive Officer of the firm.
The Plaintiff further states that as of January 21, 2025, the 2nd Defendant did not have a Governing Council. Additionally, KPMG has had financial engagements with the 2nd Defendant, with the 1st Defendant serving as its Senior Partner at least up until January 21, 2025,” the writ outlines.
Therefore, Sarfowaah requests the court to annul President Mahama’s appointment of Kwasi Sarpong as the Acting Commissioner-General of the GRA.
In addition to seeking the annulment, the plaintiff is requesting a permanent injunction to prevent President Mahama from appointing Kwasi Sarpong to the role.
“A perpetual injunction restraining the President of Ghana, or any individual acting under his authority, from appointing the 1st Defendant, who has been affiliated with KPMG, as the Acting or substantive Commissioner-General of the GRA.
Anthony Kwasi Sarpong was appointed as Acting Commissioner-General of the GRA following the resignation of former Commissioner-General, Julie Essiam, on January 20, 2025.