A coalition of concerned youth groups within the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Tamale has voiced strong opposition to the appointment of Anthony Sarpong as the Acting Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).
Describing the decision as inappropriate, the groups have called on President John Dramani Mahama to revoke the appointment and consider a more credible candidate for the position.
Anthony Sarpong, a Senior Partner at the auditing firm KPMG prior to his appointment, was named Acting Commissioner-General by President Mahama. However, the youth groups have expressed serious reservations about Mr. Sarpong’s ability to lead the nation’s revenue mobilization efforts, citing his perceived affiliation with the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP).
At a press conference in Tamale, the coordinator of the Concerned Youth of NDC, Abu Jamal, spoke on behalf of the groups, outlining their concerns. “We do not agree to this appointment for him to serve in your government because we do not see him as someone who can lead a revenue generation drive due to his affiliation with the NPP party,” he said.
The group highlighted that Mr. Sarpong was appointed by former President Nana Akufo-Addo in September 2020 to serve on the Institute of Chartered Accountants Ghana (ICAG). According to them, his association with other prominent members of the NPP during his tenure at ICAG raises doubts about his neutrality and suitability for the GRA role.
“He was a man who served together with other NPP persons and the former EOCO boss. Our wealth in Ghana is in trouble with Mr. Sarpong. We therefore wish to draw the attention of President Mahama that the NDC is made up of knowledgeable people who can manage the various sectors better and excellently. Therefore, for us, Mr. Sarpong’s appointment should be revoked,” Abu Jamal asserted.
The groups believe that the NDC has a wealth of experienced and competent individuals who are better suited to manage key sectors such as revenue mobilization. They argue that appointing someone with an alleged political bias undermines the credibility of the administration and puts the country’s economic future at risk.
Their dissatisfaction stems from concerns about Mr. Sarpong’s capacity to oversee Ghana’s revenue collection and management processes effectively. They fear his perceived political allegiance could compromise the GRA’s role in generating the revenue necessary for national development.
The group’s concerns are not limited to political affiliations; they also question Mr. Sarpong’s track record and ability to introduce innovative measures to enhance revenue mobilization. According to them, the position of Commissioner-General is too critical to be entrusted to someone whose credibility they deem questionable.
As a demonstration of their discontent, the youth groups have issued a five-day ultimatum to President Mahama to reconsider the appointment. They have warned that failure to address their concerns will compel them to take to the streets in protest.
“We are giving the president five working days to revoke the appointment of Mr. Sarpong. If such a move persists, we will be forced to hit the street,” Abu Jamal cautioned.
The groups remain confident that there are more qualified individuals within the NDC who can deliver on the mandate of the Ghana Revenue Authority. They insist that retaining Mr. Sarpong in the role could have negative repercussions for the government’s agenda and its relationship with the party’s grassroots supporters.
The groups have emphasized that their concerns are not an attack on Mr. Sarpong’s character but rather a call for fairness, credibility, and loyalty in the selection of individuals for key government positions. They believe that appointments to sensitive positions such as the Commissioner-General of the GRA must inspire confidence among citizens and stakeholders alike.
The Concerned Youth of NDC is particularly worried about the implications of Mr. Sarpong’s appointment for Ghana’s economic recovery and growth. With the country facing significant economic challenges, including revenue shortfalls and a mounting debt burden, they argue that the government cannot afford to make controversial appointments that could undermine public trust.
Their call for the revocation of the appointment is rooted in their belief that an experienced and politically neutral individual would be better suited to lead the GRA. They argue that the role requires someone with a deep understanding of Ghana’s economic landscape and a commitment to implementing innovative strategies to boost revenue collection.
The youth groups also stressed the importance of unity within the NDC and urged the leadership to listen to their concerns. They believe that addressing their grievances will not only strengthen the party’s position but also demonstrate its commitment to good governance and accountability.
In conclusion, the concerned NDC youth groups have reiterated their demand for the appointment of Anthony Sarpong as Acting Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority to be revoked. They have made it clear that they will not hesitate to escalate their protest if their concerns are ignored.
For them, this is a matter of principle and a test of the government’s willingness to prioritize competence and loyalty in its appointments. As the deadline for their ultimatum approaches, all eyes are on President Mahama to see whether he will heed their call and take steps to address their concerns.
