Workers of the Centre for Plant Medicine Research at Mampong-Akwapim, have rejected an incoming Acting Executive Director for the institution, Dr. Bobi Barimah, who has been appointed by the President.
They contend that the Centre is not in good standing to pay two executive directors since the tenure of the current Executive Director, Professor Augustine Ocloo, who is on a terminal leave has not expired.
In an interview with Citi News, spokesperson for the staff, Dr. Kofi Donkor noted that the move by the President “is a violation of the constitution and the Act establishing the centre.”
He also said this would bring administrative issues.
“You have an existing director and you are bringing another one to come and act. We are going to be paying double salary. For us, we will not allow our institution to be politicised.”
This comes on the back of pressure on President Nana Akufo-Addo to revoke the appointment of the newly appointed Chairman for the Ghana Revenue Authority’s board, Kwame Owusu.
The ex-Maritime Authority boss, has been accused of renovating his 2-bedroom Cantonments residence at the cost of GHc1 million.
He is also alleged to have superintended over questionable expenditure at the authority.
Several civil society organisations including the Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII) have asked government to remove Mr. Owusu from office until issues against him are dealt with.
The Director for Advocacy and Policy Engagement at the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD Ghana), Dr. Kojo Asante has also said the appointment of Kwame Owusu was based on poor judgment.
“We hear that the person has been rewarded with a board chairmanship of an even more serious institution which is the Ghana Revenue Authority. This is a government that is trying to raise revenue.”
“The last person that you want to out in charge of a revenue authority is a person who is alleged to be wasting public resources. How do you persuade citizens to pay their tax with that kind of symbolism so I think it is just a very poor judgement for whoever nominated this person. I really think that, that decision should be rescinded because it sends a really bad message to all of us about the anti-corruption agenda that government is trying to pursue.”