Professor Seidu Alidu, Head of the Political Science Department at the University of Ghana, emphasizes the importance of ensuring that ongoing investigations into the five-year consolidated contract between Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML) and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) serve the national interest.
Prof. Alidu calls for an extension of the investigations to uncover any corporate and individual interests involved in the award and execution of the contract.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, Prof. Alidu commends President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for ordering an immediate audit of the contract.
The GRA engaged SML in 2019 for revenue assurance services, particularly in the downstream petroleum sector, upstream petroleum production, and the value chain for minerals and metals resources.
The contract has faced scrutiny following an investigative report by the Fourth Estate, prompting concerns raised by organizations such as the Minority in Parliament about potential flaws in its execution.
President Akufo-Addo appointed KPMG, a reputable Audit, Tax, and Advisory Services firm, to conduct the audit, aiming to ensure transparency and accountability in the contractual arrangement.
Prof. Alidu expresses confidence that the involved parties, both opponents of the contract and SML, have the nation's interest at heart. He emphasizes the need for thorough investigations to reach a conclusion that protects the public purse.
“We are not sure who is telling the right story. I think we should applaud the President for taking a keen interest in the issue and ordering a KPMG audit.
But I believe that to be able to properly understand this issue, we need to first find the actors involved; both corporate and individual actors, and the interests they have in that particular project,” says Prof. Alidu.
He cautions that failing to exercise care in the investigation could lead to protecting individual interests instead of safeguarding the public purse and ensuring accountability in the fight against corruption.
President Akufo-Addo has given KPMG two weeks to submit a report on its findings and recommendations. The Ministry of Finance and the GRA are directed to provide KPMG with all necessary assistance.
Furthermore, the President has instructed the suspension of the contract's performance pending the submission of the audit report, including payments envisaged under its terms.