Morale At Customs Dampened After Col.Damoah’s Removal

Some offices of Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) have gone silent, after news about the sacking of their boss, Colonel Kwadwo Damoah, broke yesterday.

As at mid-day yesterday, when The Anchor visited the headquarters of GRA, the atmosphere was moody as some members of staff were spotted discussing the development among them.

The removal of Col Damoah by President Akufo-Addo, comes weeks after the Commissioner in-charge of Customs Division, had served notice that he is not afraid of his dismissal from office.

According to a letter from the Presidency, his removal took effect on Friday, August 26, 2022.

The order was contained in a letter from the Presidency signed by Executive Secretary to the President, Nana Bediatuo Asante.

“Following the expiration of your contract of service as Commissioner (Custom 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 your duties and office to the acting Deputy Commissioner (Preventive Service), Mr. SeiduIddrisuIddisah, who will act as the Commissioner (Customs Division) pending the President’s substantive appointment”, the statement said.

It continued: “The President thanks you for your service to the state and wishes you well in your future endeavors.”

It comes after the former military man, became subject of discussion for his role in an investigative piece by the Special Prosecutor, KissiAgyebeng.

Col. Kwadwo Damoah (Rtd), over the recent weeks, has been in the news following the Special Prosecutor’s work regarding a foreign food importing company, Labianca, which suggested alleged irregularity at the port.

The report had concluded that the owner of Labianca had taken advantage of her position as a Board member of the Ghana Ports and Habours Authority (GPHA) at the time, to get favours for her company.

The Special Prosecutor recovered an amount of GH¢1.074 million from the company whose owner doubles as a member of the Council of State, Eunice Jacqueline BuahAsomah-Hinneh.

A Deputy Commissioner of Customs in charge of Operations, Joseph AduKyei was also cited by the OSP for issuing what it described as an unlawful customs advance ruling.

This, according to the report, reduced the benchmark values of the goods imported by Labianca Limited translating to reduced tax obligations of the company to the state.

Speaking at the Customs Division Management retreat at Kumasi, Col. Kwadwo Damoah (Rtd) insisted the report of the Special Prosecutor was released with malicious intent.

Col Damoah (Rtd) said it was meant to discredit the Customs officers adding that the OSP “is trying to indict the deputy and myself.”

In his outburst, the retired senior army officer, indicated that he was not afraid of his removal and that, there is no way he is going to be Commissioner of Customs forever.

Meanwhile, the President did not indicate if Col Damoah’s removal has anything to do with the investigative piece.

Source: Anchorghana