President Akufo-Addo has received the KPMG audit report on the revenue mobilisation contract between the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Ltd (SML).
The report was delivered to him on Wednesday, March 27, as announced in a Facebook post by Eugene Arhin, the Director of Communications at the Presidency, on Wednesday, April 3.
Mr. Arhin also mentioned that President Akufo-Addo is currently reviewing the findings of the audit report and will communicate his decisions to the Ghanaian public in due course.
“The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, on Wednesday, 27th March 2024, received from KPMG its report on the audit conducted, at the behest of the President, on the transactions between the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Ltd (SML).”
“President Akufo-Addo is studying the findings of the audit report, and will, in due course, make his decisions known to the Ghanaian people,” he posted.
After the audit period ended, calls for the release of the report came from various quarters, including Minority Leader Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson. The delay by President Akufo-Addo in addressing the report has raised suspicions of an intentional effort to conceal what critics describe as a “questionable” deal.
Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, speaking on behalf of the Minority, expressed determination not to allow any attempt to cover up the issue. He affirmed their commitment to ensuring that Parliament promptly investigates the matter.
A report by the Fourth Estate alleged irregularities in a multi-million dollar contract awarded to SML by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA). Despite the allegations, both the GRA and SML vehemently deny any wrongdoing.
In response to the accusations, SML has taken legal action against the Fourth Estate, alleging defamation. Following concerns raised regarding the contract between the GRA and SML, President Akufo-Addo directed KPMG to conduct an audit into the matter.