SML-GRA deal stinks – Stan Dogbe 

Aide to former President John Mahama, Stan Dogbe says the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML) contract is not in the public interest.

This comes on the back of the release of the KPMG audit report by Akufo-Addo to the public after huge public demand.

President Nana Akufo-Addo 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 the minerals and metals resources value chain.

However, a statement signed by the Communications Director at the Presidency, Eugene Arhin explained 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).

In a Facebook post, Mr. Dogbe questioned the President’s quick U-turn after the resistance.

“What was it that triggered the fastest U-turn by President Akufo-Addo ever to release the KPMG’s damaging report on the corrupt SML transaction, which they used all kinds of legal gymnastics to earlier justify while whitewashing the KPMG’s work and recommendations?

“From my experience and working knowledge, this action is not because Akufo-Addo and the NPP have suddenly embraced transparency or want to be accountable.

“There is a HUGE trigger, and whatever it is, we thank God it has pushed him to the wall. SML simply stinks, and it is clear from what Ghanaians even knew before the KPMG work and report that it was a transaction to milk the country of its tax revenue for personal, political party, and campaign (2020 and 2024) benefit. Is it any wonder the GRA will look the other way and let SML keep VAT in excess of GH¢ 13m?”

Source: Today.com.gh