CHRAJ Bans Ex-GRA Boss for 5 Years, Recommends Prosecution
Photo credit- GRA
Accra, Ghana —The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) has recommended that Reverend Dr. Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah, former Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), be barred from holding public office for five years following findings of corruption, procurement breaches, and financial loss to the state.
CHRAJ’s investigation revealed that Rev. Owusu-Amoah’s actions led to an estimated loss of over GHS 9 million and USD 826,000 through irregular contract awards for the supply of vehicles and logistics to three private companies.
The Commission has referred the case to the Attorney General for possible prosecution of the former GRA boss and directors of the implicated companies.
The probe stemmed from a complaint filed in August 2022 by the Movement for Truth and Accountability, a civil society organization that alleged widespread fraud and corruption in GRA’s procurement processes.
Despite a later attempt to withdraw the petition, CHRAJ proceeded with the case, commending the complainants for their “public-spiritedness” in pursuing accountability.
Investigations found that the contracts in question were awarded through questionable sole sourcing procedures, with inflated prices and unverified supplier credentials.
CHRAJ’s report concluded that Rev. Owusu-Amoah, as head of the GRA, bore ultimate responsibility under Section 17 of the Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663), which holds institutional heads accountable for ensuring compliance with procurement laws. “The respondent is responsible and accountable for actions and decisions taken under his tenure. His conduct has caused financial loss to the state,” the CHRAJ report stated.
Key findings and recommendations from CHRAJ reveals Rev. Owusu-Amoah should be disqualified from holding any public office for five years effective immediately. The Attorney General should consider prosecution of both the former GRA boss and the directors of the three implicated companies. The organization wants the GHS 9 million lost to the state be recovered through legal and administrative means.
CHRAJ found that the contracts were not only tainted by procedural breaches but also inflated beyond approved valuations, violating transparency and value-for-money principles.
In an interview monitored by DM Media Online, Edem Senanu, Co-Chair of the Citizens’ Movement Against Corruption, said the findings were “unsurprising” given the structural vulnerabilities within Ghana’s revenue administration. “The GRA is a massive organization, and if there’s no consistent oversight, these things happen,” Senanu said. “The real issue is not just punishing individuals but fixing the systems that allow such breaches to recur.”
He stressed that while Rev. Owusu-Amoah may challenge the report in court, Ghana must use such cases to tighten procurement systems and accountability structures. “We must understand where the weaknesses lie whether in procurement vetting, contract approval, or political interference, so that we don’t repeat this pattern,” he added.
Lawyer and former Deputy Attorney General Joseph Dindiok Kpemka, representing the three companies implicated in the CHRAJ findings, said his clients would challenge the report in court. “I have the instructions of my clients to proceed to court to challenge the report,” he told 3FM 92.7. “CHRAJ should have determined whether the sole sourcing had the approval of the Public Procurement Authority (PPA). If the PPA approved it, then what fault lies with the parties involved?” Kpemka emphasized that his clients followed due process and will seek a judicial review of CHRAJ’s conclusions.
CHRAJ’s ruling reignites debate over public sector corruption, procurement integrity, and institutional accountability within Ghana’s revenue administration.
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