Energy sector CSOs challenge Akufo-Addo to transparent value for money audit of SML contract

Some Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have questioned President Akufo-Addo's response to the KPMG audit report on the revenue mobilisation contract between the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML).

In a press statement, the CSOs emphasised the importance of acknowledging infractions in awarding the SML contracts, particularly in light of the observations made in the press statement released by the Presidency regarding the audit.

The statement recognised the need for significant improvements in assessing the country’s requirements before awarding contracts for revenue assurance, especially concerning connections between wholesale depots and fuel retail outlets.

Read also: SML/GRA contract brought ¢2.45bn in tax revenues to the state – KPMG report

President Akufo-Addo endorsed the recommendation of discontinuing the upstream petroleum and minerals audit services previously provided to GRA by SML, as indicated by Eugene Arhin, the Communications Director at the Presidency, in a press statement on Wednesday, April 24.

The statement also revealed that SML received a total payment of GH¢1,061,054,778.00 from 2018 to the date.

But in their statement, the CSOs argued that the numerous infractions in the contract demand that the full report be made public to provide transparency and accountability.

Read also: Renegotiate SML contract – Akufo-Addo to GRA, Finance Ministry

"The needs assessment mentioned by the President must be concluded before SML or any other company receives a pesewa more of Ghana’s money.

Not one pesewa more of Ghana’s money should go to SML or any other company until such an open, transparent, rigorous, and meritocratic process has been completed," an excerpt of the statement said.