Mr Owusu[/caption] Former Director General of the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA), Kwame Owusu, who was accused of conflict of interest and corruption, has been appointed as the Board Chairman of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA). He was appointed by President Nana Akufo-Addo in consultation with the Council of State, his appointment letter dated June 18 and signed by the Secretary to the President, Nana Bediatuo Asante, said. “I take this opportunity to congratulate you formally on your appointment,” it said. Mr Owusu was given 14 days from the date of the letter to indicate his acceptance of the appointment. It is not clear whether he accepted the offer and has duly been sworn into office, but a check on the GRA website showed Mr. Harry Owusu as the Board chair of the revenue agency. Mr Owusu was last year accused of approving payments to LUXE Hotels [owned by him] for services rendered to the Authority, which many have cited him for conflict of interest. Mr. Owusu was apparently the Group Chairman of LUXE Hotels. He was for instance alleged to have approved the payment of ten thousand six hundred and fifty-two Ghana cedis, five pesewas (GH₵10,652.05) to the hotel for providing lunch for 8 persons as lunch.
But that allegation has been denied by the Authority, though Mr. Owusu justified the payments. He claimed, the decision to contract the hotel for the catering services was taken and approved by the board of the Authority. Following pressure and call for his resignation, the Transport Ministry ordered the Board of the GMA to investigate the matter. Four months later, before findings of the investigations could be submitted to the sector Minister for action, Mr Owusu in February this year retired from his position as the Director General having attained the constitutional retirement age. At the time of Mr Owusu’s retirement, Transport Minister Kwaku Ofori Asiamah said was yet to receive the findings of the board for the necessary action to be taken. The report of the investiations into the acts of corruption against Mr Owusu have not yet been made public and not even clear whether it has been submitted to the sector Minister. By 3news.com|Ghana]]>