Akufo-Addo releases full KPMG report on GRA/SML contract
President Akufo-Addo has released the entire KPMG report on the contract between the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML).
It comes after calls from many Ghanaians and some civil society organization for the investigation report to be made public.
President Nana Akufo-Addo on January 2, ordered an audit into the SML-GRA Contract and suspended its performance. The contract was entered into to enhance revenue assurance in the downstream petroleum sector, the upstream petroleum production and minerals and metals resources value chain.
The terms of the reference of the audit included: Conduct an audit to ascertain the rational or needs assessment performed prior to the contract approval by GRA and assess how the arrangement aligns with specific needs. Assess the appropriateness of the contracting methodology, verifying compliance with legal standards and industry best practices in the procurement process for the selection of SML, among others.
A statement dated May 22, 2024 by the Communications Director at the Presidency, Eugene Arhin, noted that on April, 24, 2024, President Akufo-Addo received a request from the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), under section 18 of the Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989) (RTI Act), for a copy of the KPMG report on the contracts and transactions between Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML).
“Bearing in mind the provisions of the RTI Act, particularly section 5 (1) (a) and (b) (i) of the Act, the President denied the request by MFWA since the KPMG report constitutes matters exempt under section 5 of the RTI Act.
“Section 5 (1) (a) and (b) (i) of the RTI Act states that “information is exempt from disclosure where the information is prepared for submission or has been submitted to the President or Vice President for consideration or contains matters the disclosure of which would reveal information concerning opinion, advice, deliberation, recommendation, minutes or consultation made or given to the President or Vice President and is likely to undermine the deliberative process on the part of the President or Vice President.”
“However, the President, in the interest of full transparency in governance, openness, and honesty with the public, has decided to waive the privilege under section 5 of the RTI Act and has directed the publication of the KPMG report in full.”
Click the link https://usercontent.one/wp/www.adinkraradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Investigation-Report-Audit-RevenueAssuranceContractsTransactionsbetween-GRA-SML-1.pdf?media=1711913223for the full report
