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Sosu, Laadi Ayamba Sued Over GRA Board Appointments
A private citizen has formally filed a lawsuit contesting the appointments of two sitting Members of Parliament to the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) board, arguing that the appointments contravene existing laws and raise serious conflict-of-interest concerns.
The plaintiff, identified as Tassah Tapha Tassah, is seeking judicial intervention to compel President John Dramani Mahama to remove Francis Xavier Sosu, the MP for Madina, and Laadi Ayamba, the Pusiga legislator, from the GRA board. The suit was filed at the High Court on December 17, 2025.
The lawsuit claims that the appointments violate Section 4(1)f of the Ghana Revenue Authority Act, 2009 (Act 791), which stipulates that board membership must include representatives from the private sector. As elected MPs, Sosu and Ayamba, according to the plaintiff, do not meet this criterion and therefore cannot legally serve as board members under the private sector quota.
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“The Plaintiff contends that the 2nd and 3rd Defendants, being elected Members of Parliament, cannot be appointed under Section 4(1)f as representatives of the private sector. Appointing elected MPs to the GRA Board impairs their oversight functions and creates a conflict of interest,” the statement of claim asserts.
The plaintiff further argues that allowing MPs to serve on the GRA board while maintaining their legislative oversight roles could undermine the board’s independence. Decisions taken by MPs on the board may later fall under scrutiny in Parliament, creating situations where they would oversee their own previous actions.
Act 791 prescribes that the GRA board comprises a chairperson, the Commissioner-General, representatives from the Ministries of Finance and Trade and Industry, the Bank of Ghana, and four private sector representatives, including two women. The legislation is designed to balance public and private sector interests while ensuring proper governance.
By appointing Sosu and Ayamba, the plaintiff argues, the government has disrupted this statutory balance, potentially compromising the board’s independence and the effectiveness of parliamentary oversight.
The plaintiff is requesting the High Court to:
- Declare the appointments of Francis Xavier Sosu and Laadi Ayamba as unlawful.
- Direct the President to remove both MPs from the GRA board.
- Ensure the President appoints qualified private sector representatives in accordance with Act 791.
The legal challenge raises broader questions about governance practices and adherence to statutory provisions in Ghana. Legal experts note that the case could set a precedent regarding the compatibility of legislative roles with statutory board appointments and the protection of independent oversight mechanisms.
No official response from the presidency or the MPs involved has been recorded as of yet. The High Court is expected to schedule a hearing date to examine the claims in the suit.
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