Staff of the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) have jumped to the defense of their embattled former Director-General, Mr. Kwame Owusu touting his transformational leadership during his tenure.
They also denied allegations of financial misappropriation concerning him stating categorically that they were all false.
“We are not here to only defend a personality but also to set the records straight; we have noted with concern that, notwithstanding the explanations that were offered when the Authority’s saga arose, the discussions are still being centered on falsehood.
This, we believe is bringing the reputation of the Authority into disrepute,” Head of Search and Rescue at the GMA, Captain William Owiredu, addressing a press conference on issues making rounds in media circles following Mr. Owusu’s appointment as board chairman of the Ghana Revenue Authority.
According to Mr. Owiredu, GMA’s financial performance improved for 2017 and 2018, during the tenure of Mr. Owusu.
The authority’s assets also recorded a growth of 85 per cent, which showed that the investments in assets, had helped boost the company’s regulatory work, he noted.
“In the year 2017, revenue grew from Gh¢68.6 million to Gh¢99.6 million and in 2018, it grew by 42 per cent to Gh¢141 million and recorded a surplus of Gh¢68 million.
“Other successes chalked included acquisition of vessels for monitoring activities, improved safety on the Volta lake, employment creation and new legislations,” he said.
Mr. Kwame Owusu resigned as director-general of the Ghana Maritime Authority in February 2019 after accusations of financial misappropriations were made against him.