President John Mahama has made another summersault in key appointments in his three months administration.
In a shocking turn of events, Brigadier General Glover Ashong Annan believed to be the youngest Brigadier General in the Army has been reassigned from his position as Acting Chief of Staff of the Ghana Armed Forces to head the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).
According to sources, the decision was taken to avoid retiring a whole chunk of officers at Brigadier level who are senior to Annan.
Brig Gen Ashong Annan was billed to take over from the outgoing Chief of Staff at the Defence Headquarters, Burma Camp today, but with his new appointment, it is not clear who will step in as no successor was announced.
The Mahama administration had been characterised with appointment summersault leading changing of names for positions already announced.
Just over the weekend, a deputy managing director appointment made to the Electricity Company of Ghana, ECG was suddenly reversed with no explanation.
The latest reversal adds to several cases of appointment reversals of the administration.
This sudden move comes just a week after Annan’s initial appointment as Acting Chief of Staff, which was set to take effect today, Monday, March 24.
According to a statement from the Presidency, President Mahama has appointed Brigadier General Glover Ashong Annan as the Commissioner of the Customs Division of the GRA.
He is taking over from another military officer, appointed by the immediate past Akufo-Addo administration, Brigadier-General Zibrim Bawah Ayorrogo.
John Mahama had earlier given Ayorrogo one year contract extension, sources told The Daily Gist. The reason for his removal is unknown.
The statement describes Brig. Gen. Annan as “a well-respected, dedicated, principled, and patriotic Commissioned Officer of the Ghana Army.”
As Commissioner, Brig. Gen. Annan is expected to “reset the Customs Division and support the Ghana Revenue Authority to meet its targets as we work towards fixing the economy”.
Before his appointment, Brig. Gen. Annan served as the Presidential Security Coordinator, a role in which he played a key part in national security and strategic operations.
His leadership is anticipated to enhance efficiency, transparency, and accountability within the Customs Division.
President Mahama has expressed gratitude to the outgoing Commissioner, Brigadier General Ziblim Ayorrogo, for his dedicated service to the Customs Division and Ghana.
This development is seen as a significant change in the country’s leadership, and it remains to be seen how Brig. Gen. Annan will fare in his new role.
–BY Daniel Bampoe
