The Alliance for Social Equity and Public Accountability (ASEPA) is calling on the Minister of Finance to revoke the appointment of George Winful as Director for the Revenue Policy Division at the Ministry since he is the Deputy Auditor General.
At a news Conference, Executive Director of ASEPA, Mensah Thompson, said Mr. Winful’s act of playing the dual role contravenes provisions in Article 284 of the 1992 constitution which provides that a public officer in the discharge of his duties should not put his or herself in the position where the personal interest may conflict with the functions of his office.
Following the current review of the structure and functions of Resource Mobilisation and Economic Relations Division of the Ministry of Finance, the Sector Minister, Ken Ofori Atta authorised the establishment of a Revenue Assurance, Compliance and Enforcement function within the Ministry.
By this review, the Resource Mobilisation and Economic Relations Division is split into two divisions which are the Revenue Policy Division and the External Resource Mobilisation and Economic Relations Division each headed by a Director.
The Revenue Policy Division will be headed by the Deputy Auditor General, George Winful while the External Resource Mobilisation and Economic Relations Division will be headed by Yvonne Quansah.
This move has the approval of the Minister of Finance. But the Executive Director of ASEPA, Mensah Thompson describe it as unacceptable because it serves as an attack on the independence of the office of the Auditor General.
ASEPA says failure to revoke the appointment of Mr. Winful as Director for the Revenue Policy Division will compel them to file a suit in court against the Ministry of Finance and the Audit Service Board.
By: Samuella Quartey.