Search Begins For New Accountant General

The presidency has begun the search for a new Controller and Accountant General, New Crusading GUIDE has learnt. 

The search comes against the backdrop of protests from some workers at CAGD and some high ranking members of the ruling party over the retirement age of the Acting Controller and Accountant General of the Controller and Accountant General’s Department (CAGD), Eugene Asante Ofosuhene.

Mr. Eugene Asante Ofosuhene is 67, which is way beyond the constitutionally mandated retirement age for state officials.

He was appointed by President Akufo-Addo on May 11th, 2017, following the exit of Mr. Seidu Kotomah who was appointed by former President John Dramani Mahama.

Highly placed sources indicate that the President would have sacked Mr. Ofosuhene long time ago but the latter is allegedly being shielded by a top government official who is also a confidante of the President.

However, a reliable source at the Jubilee House has hinted this paper that the President has finally made up his mind to sack the “overage Civil Servant,” following pressure from all quarters.

“He will surely be given the boot sooner than later. The President believes the rules governing the appointment of such state officials must be adhered to the letter,” the source told this paper.

Meanwhile, this paper gathered that tension is mounting at the Controller and Accountant General’s Department (CAGD) over the matter as some workers are planning to openly demonstrate against their boss to vacate his seat; others have resolved to formally petition President Akufo-Addo to expedite action on the matter.

“We have resolved to petition the President on the matter next week. Our boss has passed the retirement age for persons who occupy such positions and he must make way for a new one. He must go! We are citizens, not spectators as the President admonished every Ghanaian to be,” a top official at the state institution told this paper.

At age 67, Mr Ofosuhene is disqualified from being given a contract by the Public Services Commission (PSC). He would have been given a maximum of 5-year contract if he were 60 per the regulations.

“Due to various agitations across the country, the President does not want the issue of the acting Accountant General to be another headache hence his decision to sack him in the coming weeks,” sources at Jubilee House with knowledge about the search told this paper.

CAGD was established under the Civil Service Act, 1960 (CA.5), which legal framework is provided by the Administrative Act, 2003 Act 654; it plays the role as the chief accounting officer and chief adviser to the government of Ghana on accounting issues.