Should the previous Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) chief govt officer, Mr. Reginald Yoofi Grant, be required to refund or face trial for all of the monies he acquired whereas in workplace after he was attributable to retire on March 10, 2024?
By that point, he had already lengthy handed the necessary retirement age of 65 years.
A damning exposé lifted the lid on the irregular and seemingly illegal extension of Mr. Grant’s employment contract, which has drawn widespread condemnation from authorized specialists, civil society, and most of the people.
New authorities revokes Grants appointment
Meanwhile, the brand new John Mahama administration which took workplace early 2025 yesterday January 27, revoked Grants appointment. Sources point out that Mr Grant has not been reporting to work for the reason that outcomes of the December 2024 elections have been introduced.
A flagrant breach of the Constitution
The detailed investigation confirmed that Mr. Grant, who was born on March 10, 1959, attained the necessary retirement age of 60 years on March 10, 2019. However, his employment contract was prolonged by the previous President for a further yr, permitting him to proceed in his position till 2020.
The issues escalated when Mr. Grant crossed the constitutional age restrict of 65 years on March 10, 2024. Article 199 of the 1992 Constitution is unequivocal on the retirement age and pensions of public officers, stating that “A public officer shall, except as otherwise provided in this constitution, retire from the public service on attaining the age of sixty years.” The Constitution does present for restricted extensions, however these are strictly capped at a most of two years at a time, not exceeding 5 years in complete. Yet, in a blatant disregard for the regulation, Mr. Grant claimed that his contract was prolonged even additional, permitting him to proceed in his position till the top of the yr 2024, however failed to point out the stated contract letter to administration or the board of administrators.
According to Michael Youri, a lawyer, “This is a clear violation of the Constitution, which sets clear parameters for the retirement and engagement of public officers. The fact that Mr. Grant was allowed to continue in his position despite exceeding the mandatory retirement age is a troubling breach of the law that must be addressed with urgency.”
“The trust that the Ghanaian public has placed in GIPC has been betrayed by this blatant disregard for the law. The monies that Mr. Grant has unlawfully received must be returned to the institution, as these funds belong to the hard-working citizens of Ghana,” he added.
Accountability and restitution
“If Mr. Grant has been drawing salary and enjoying the benefits of his position at GIPC for nearly a year after he should have rightfully retired, then it is a clear case of abuse of office and a misappropriation of public funds, and he must be made to refund every pesewa he has received since March 2024. The continued employment of Mr. Grant beyond the constitutional age limit has not only undermined the principles of good governance but has also potentially deprived younger and equally capable Ghanaians of the opportunity to serve in leadership roles within GIPC,” stated Orstin Abednego Rawlings, President of United States African Command (AFRICOM).
The name for Grant to refund his illegal earnings is seen as a crucial first step in restoring the integrity of the GIPC and reassuring the Ghanaian public that the ideas of fine governance shall be upheld with out worry or favor.
A stain on GIPC’s popularity
The newest revelations have dealt an extra blow to GIPC’s already tarnished popularity. The establishment is at the moment saddled with a staggering debt of over GH¢50 million, whereas employee’s social safety contributions have remained unpaid for an prolonged interval. This precarious monetary scenario, coupled with the blatant disregard for the retirement age and contract extension guidelines, has severely eroded public belief within the GIPC.
“GIPC is a critical institution that serves as the custodian of the hard-earned contributions of Ghanaian workers. The continuous mismanagement and disregard for the rule of law have eroded public trust in the institution and put the financial security of millions of Ghanaians at risk,” stated Shallovern Srodah, National Chairman of the Council of Indigenous Business Association (CIBA).
A name for sweeping reforms
As the mud settles on this newest scandal, the highlight has as soon as once more turned to the pressing want for sweeping reforms inside GIPC and different public establishments in Ghana. Governance specialists and civil society organizations have referred to as for the implementation of sturdy oversight mechanisms, strengthened accountability measures, and a renewed dedication to transparency to stop such egregious abuses of energy from occurring sooner or later.
“The people of Ghana deserve a GIPC that is truly accountable to them, one that prioritizes the interests of workers over the personal agendas of its leadership,” said Mr. Srodah. “This latest incident is a clarion call for fundamental changes in the way our public institutions are managed and governed.”
With the decision for the previous GIPC boss to refund his illegal earnings, the stage is about for a brand new period of accountability and transparency on the Centre. However, the true take a look at shall be within the implementation of complete reforms that guarantee such blatant disregard for the regulation by no means occurs once more.
The Ghanaian public, whose hard-earned investments and contributions have been entrusted to GIPC, shall be watching carefully, demanding nothing lower than an entire overhaul of the establishment’s governance buildings and a steadfast dedication to upholding the ideas of fine governance which might be the hallmark of a thriving democracy. The individuals of Ghana deserve a GIPC that’s really accountable to them, one which prioritizes the pursuits of traders and the broader public over the non-public agendas of its management. This newest incident is a clarion name for elementary modifications in the best way our public establishments, particularly these answerable for managing the nation’s financial property, are ruled. Only via sweeping reforms that restore transparency, strengthen accountability, and align GIPC’s operations with the very best requirements of integrity can the belief of the Ghanaian individuals be totally regained. Ghanaians have their contributions with GIPC, and it’s crucial that these contributions are managed with utmost accountability and integrity.
By Innocent Samuel Appiah