General News of Monday, 27 January 2025

Source: peacefmonline.com

Appointment of Anthony Sarpong as GRA boss a good decision by President Mahama - Group

Anthony Kwasi Sarpong is acting Commissioner General of GRA Anthony Kwasi Sarpong is acting Commissioner General of GRA

The President of the New Ghana Social Justice Forum, Mr. Yahaya Alhassan, has commended President John Dramani Mahama for appointing Mr. Anthony Kwasi Sarpong, former Senior Partner of KPMG, as the Commissioner General for the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).

Speaking at a press conference in Accra, Mr. Alhassan said that appointing Mr. Anthony Kwasi Sarpong is an unprecedented development in the fight against corruption and for transparency, devoid of political cronies, in the new Mahama administration.

He noted that the appointment of such a man with impeccable financial efficiency in auditing, financial statements, accounting advisory, corporate recovery insolvency, and revenue mobilization is a step in the right direction for openness in Ghana's revenue collection, as he proved during his term at KPMG.

"Ghanaians cried for an end to corruption. Ghanaians cried for openness and transparency. So, appointing Mr. Anthony Kwasi Sarpong as the Commissioner General of GRA is a step in line with what Ghana voted for," he added.

Mr. Alhassan noted that the GRA, as a key public institution, requires a consummate professional in the finance industry like Mr. Anthony Kwasi Sarpong, who can be counted on to use his expertise to effectively manage the affairs of revenue collection for efficiency and sustainability.

"Party faithfuls should accept the fact that political change and economic transformation cannot be brought by one political party. Rather, civil societies, expert neutrals, and the entire populace need to be involved. Therefore, appointments should be extended to all highly qualified people who can be trusted.

"One such person is Mr. Sarpong, an astute professional who has wholeheartedly contributed his quota to national development. Ghanaians should accept the fact that what we require to push this country into prosperity is diligence and trustworthiness, all of which qualities Mr. Anthony Kwasi Sarpong has amply displayed at KPMG. We reiterate that his appointment as the Commissioner General for GRA is a major step towards efficiency, transparency, and transformation in Ghana's revenue mobilization drive. Therefore, whoever chastised the appointment of Mr. Sarpong perhaps does not really know the stuff he is made of. Those who did so despite knowing his qualities are 'enemies of the state,' who must change their mentality," he admonished.

The leader of the group therefore urged President Mahama to leave a mark of statesmanship in the affairs of governance, adding that "Africa is blessed with natural resources. That is why the advanced countries are competing for our resources. But, what we lack is selfless leadership.