NDC urges abrogation of three SML-GRA contracts 

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has issued a fervent call for the immediate termination of all three contracts between Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML) and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), citing concerns over the legality and financial mismanagement.

During a press conference dubbed “Moment of Truth” held in Accra, Mr. Sammy Gyamfi, the National Communications Officer of the Party, addressed the media, urging the government to not only terminate the contracts but also retrieve all payments made to the company.

The contracts in question include the Transaction Audit Service Agreement, the External Price Verification Agreement, and the Downstream Petroleum Audit Service Agreement.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo recently released a statement regarding the KMPG audit report on the SML-GRA deal, recommending the termination of two contracts while directing a review of the third, focusing on the downstream petroleum audit service.

Mr. Gyamfi emphasized that all three contracts should be immediately abrogated, alleging that they were awarded without due process, rendering them “illegal.” He highlighted discrepancies regarding procurement procedures and approval processes mandated by state laws, including the Public Procurement Law, the GRA Act, and the Public Financial Management Act (PFMA).

Furthermore, Mr. Gyamfi asserted that the contracts lacked value-for-money assessments and were unnecessary, as both the Fourth Estate and KMPG had indicated. He described the transactions as “duplicitous” and detrimental to the nation's interests.

Regarding claims by SML that its services had curbed malfeasance in the downstream petroleum sector and saved the country's revenue, Mr. Gyamfi challenged these assertions, demanding concrete evidence of the company's impact. He argued that increased petroleum volumes and tax revenue were primarily due to market factors rather than the actions of SML.

Questioning the government's decision to allow SML to continue its operations, Mr. Gyamfi suggested it was an attempt to conceal the alleged illegality of the deal.

In addition to calling for the immediate publication of the full KPMG report and the prosecution of individuals involved in awarding the contracts, Mr. Gyamfi stated that a future NDC government would not recognize the contract between the government and SML. He pledged to launch transparent investigations aimed at retrieving illegal payments made to SML and prosecuting those complicit in the transactions.