Cracks at GRA: Staff morale plummets as top official remains in office beyond retirement

Whispers Media Network can report that serious questions are being raised about the institutional integrity of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) following reports that some senior Customs officials remain in office after reaching the mandatory retirement age, despite a presidential directive prohibiting post-retirement contract appointments.

Tensions are reportedly mounting within the Customs Division over the continued stay in office of Gerald Agbettor, a Chief Revenue Officer (CRO).

Born on April 26, 1966, Agbettor reached the mandatory public service retirement age of 60 in April 2026.

However, several months later, he is said to have remained in his position, reportedly fueling resentment among qualified colleagues who are awaiting opportunities for promotion.

The controversy has reignited concerns about adherence to public service governance and established retirement policies. On April 2, 2025, the Presidency issued a directive, signed by the Secretary to the President, Callistus Mahama, banning the award of post-retirement contract appointments across the public service.

Despite this directive, sources familiar with the matter have told Whispers Media Network that Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson and the GRA Commissioner-General, Anthony Kwasi Sarpong, have allowed Agbettor's continued stay in office.

The development has prompted critics and some staff members to question whether the retention of officers beyond the retirement age is driven by political considerations or reflects a broader reluctance to allow qualified successors to assume leadership positions.

Some insiders claim that the implementation of the Publican AI platform, a technological system used for customs classification and valuation, has been cited as a reason for retaining retired officers.

However, sources close to the project dispute that justification. According to them, the developers of the Publican AI platform, Truedare Limited, maintain a fully operational technical support team responsible for assisting Customs officers with the system, making continued reliance on retired personnel unnecessary.

They further argue that the GRA has previously demonstrated that no individual officer is indispensable. They point to the departure of the former Commissioner of Customs, who played a leading role in the rollout of the Publican AI platform, noting that national customs operations continued without disruption following his exit.

The issue has reportedly sparked a broader debate about fairness and equal treatment within the Authority. While some senior officials at the GRA headquarters are alleged to be seeking post-retirement extensions through political influence, many of their counterparts across the country have complied with the retirement law by leaving office upon reaching the mandatory retirement age.

Assistant Commissioners serving as Sector Commanders in strategic border regions, including Wa, Bolgatanga, and Tamale, are cited as examples of officers who retired in accordance with the law after attaining the age of 60.

Critics argue that the selective application of retirement regulations risks undermining staff morale, limiting career progression, and eroding public confidence in the GRA's commitment to fairness and good governance.

Civil society groups and other concerned stakeholders are reportedly calling on the Chief of Staff to intervene.

They are urging the Presidency to strictly enforce its 2025 directive, hold public officials accountable for its implementation and ensure that all officers who have reached the mandatory retirement age are allowed to exit the service to create opportunities for the next generation of qualified Ghanaian professionals.

SSM