Dismissal of Col. Damoah disappointing – Importers & Exporters Association

The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana says it is saddened by the dismissal of Colonel Kwadwo Damoah (rtd) as the Commissioner of Customs of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).

The Association says Col. Damoah’s dismissal will leave a huge gap in the industry following the significant role he played.

“We are a body and if there is a scandal, we are concerned about what happens in the freight sector and for that matter, anything, be it, positive or negative, has an effect on us”, the Executive Secretary of the Importers and Exporters Association, Samson Asaki Awingobit said.

“Looking at the figures and where he took over as Commissioner of Customs viz-a-viz the wrangling in the Commission, it took Col. Damoah to address them and if you look at the 2021 assessment year, Col. Damoah raised the standard and that is a mark that he has left”, he added.

Mr. Awingobit is also pushing for the dismissal of all officials at the Ghana Revenue Authority whose contracts have expired and are still at post.

“We are picking signals that the Commissioner General at the GRA, his contract, was due somewhere in October or November 2021. As we speak, he should even go on retirement per his age, yet he is still at post. We do not want to see an extension. He has to go so that the president appoints new people to take over his role.”

Background

Col. Damoah was relieved of his duties as the boss of Customs.

He has been asked to hand over his duties and office to the acting Deputy Commissioner (Preventive), Seidu Iddrisu Iddisah.

Iddrisu Iddisah is to act as the Commissioner of Customs Division pending the President’s substantive appointment.

The change is to take effect from Friday, August 26, 2022.

According to the letter dated August 26, from the Office of the President, addressed to Col (rtd) Damoah and signed by the Secretary to the President, Nana Bediatuo Asante stated:

“Following the expiration of your contract of service as Commissioner (Customs Division) of the Ghana Revenue Authority on 13th October 2021, the President of the Republic has directed that effective Friday 26th August 2022 you hand over duty and office to the Acting Deputy Commissioner (Preventive Service) Mr Asiedu Iddisah, who will act as the Commissioner (Customs Division) pending the President’s substantive appointment.

“The President thanks you for your service to the state and wishes you well in your future endeavours.”