Having been tasked with a new mandate; supervising the country’s revenue in the capacity of a board chairman, perhaps, supporting his course with air conditioners will be the best assistance Ghanaians can give to make his work easier, President of IMANI Ghana, Franklin Cudjoe’s words as regards the new appointment of former Director-General of the Ghana Maritime Authority.

Following an announcement Thursday, indicating the nomination of Mr. Kwame Owusu as Board Chair of the Ghana Revenue Authority, Mr. Cudjoe took to his Facebook wall to react to the move by government.

His comments are linked to previous controversies surrounding the conversion of a two-bed house into a four-bedroom house and the purchase of some 11 air conditioners for a fully furnished apartment during his tenure as Director General at the Maritime Authority.

Mr. Owusu, rising to his defence when the issue arose in November 2018 justified that the number of air conditioners fixed in the renovated colonial style residence at Cantonments was reasonable because the number of rooms had increased.

Following the renovation, the former wooden residence had “four bedrooms on the main structure, a living room, a dining room, kitchen, a family room, a library and a basement” he said.

In a letter signed by the executive secretary to the President Nana Bediatuo Asante Thursday July 11, it was announced that President Akufo-Addo has Mr. Kwame Owusu as Board Chairman of the Ghana Revenue Authority.

The June 18, 2019 appointment letter asked Mr. Owusu to acknowledge his acceptance of the post in 14 days.

’Pursuant to section 4 (1) (a) of the Ghana Revenue Authority Act, 2009 (Act 791), the President of the Republic in consultation with the Council of State, has appointed you as chairman of the Governing Board of the Ghana Revenue Authority,” the letter said.
Franklin Cudjoe who obviously is fascinated by the appointment wrote on his Facebook wall shortly after the announcement;

“Ghana Revenue Authority just received a big boost in the appointment of a really good spending man as board chair. He will raise more revenue from taxing every one especially sellers of air conditioners. I am comforted that he will at least direct GRA’s revenue expansion program”.

He sacarstically added;

“We need to support him with more air conditioners to enable him achieve all our revenue targets. If he fails eh…we will simply lock him up in the office with 39 air conditioners until he can’t move and speak his affected American accent”.