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A private citizen, Emmanuella Sarfowaah, has filed a lawsuit against President John Dramani Mahama over the appointment of Anthony Kwasi Sarpong as the Acting Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).
The suit, filed through the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, challenges the legality of the appointment.
According to court documents, Sarfowaah is contesting the appointment on grounds of a potential conflict of interest. She argues that Kwasi Sarpong remains affiliated with KPMG as a senior partner, a role that raises ethical concerns regarding his appointment as GRA Commissioner-General.
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The High Court writ lists three defendants: President Mahama, represented by the Attorney General (3rd Defendant), Anthony Kwasi Sarpong (1st Defendant), and the GRA (2nd Defendant). Sarfowaah contends that the absence of a governing council at the time of the appointment makes the process illegal.
“The Plaintiff says that the 1st Defendant was, and/or still is (the website of KPMG as of 26th January 2025 still listed the 1st Defendant as such), the Senior Partner of KPMG (a foreign accounting firm practicing in Ghana), with ‘Senior Partner’ being defined by the website of KPMG as the Chief Executive Officer of the firm,” a section of the writ states.
Furthermore, the suit claims that KPMG has or has had several contractual engagements with the GRA, making Sarpong’s appointment a violation of due process and governance standards.
The plaintiff seeks multiple reliefs, including:
- A declaration that the appointment of Anthony Kwasi Sarpong as Acting Commissioner-General of the GRA is unlawful.
- An order revoking his appointment.
- A perpetual injunction preventing President Mahama or any other official from appointing Sarpong to the role.
- An injunction against the GRA Governing Council from advising on or endorsing Sarpong’s appointment.
Sarfowaah’s lawsuit adds to the legal and political debates surrounding high-level appointments in the country. The court has requested that all defendants file their defences within eight days of receiving the suit.
Anthony Kwasi Sarpong was appointed as the Acting Commissioner-General of the GRA on January 20, 2025, following the resignation of Julie Essiam.
His appointment was based on Article 195(1) of the Constitution and Section 13(1) of the Ghana Revenue Act, 2009 (Act 791). However, with this legal challenge, the final decision on his tenure may now rest with the judiciary.
As this case unfolds, further developments are expected. Stay tuned for more updates.
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