Investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni has directly confronted President Akufo-Addo regarding the Presidency’s decision to withhold the complete KPMG audit report on the revenue mobilisation agreement between the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Ltd (SML).
Awuni firmly asserted that any efforts to conceal what he termed a “stinky” deal would prove futile. The decision not to disclose the full KPMG audit report has sparked concerns about transparency and accountability in the management of public funds.
Citing specific provisions within the RTI Act, the Presidency has declined to release the report, citing concerns over confidentiality and the sensitive nature of the data involved.
In a letter addressed to the MFWA and signed by the Chief Director to the Chief of Staff, H. M. Wood, the Presidency expressed regret over its inability to fulfill the request for the full KPMG audit report.
In response to the Presidential decision, Manasseh Azure Awuni expressed skepticism regarding the confidentiality claims surrounding the KPMG report. He pledged to hold all individuals implicated in the agreement accountable for their actions, underscoring that transparency and accountability are fundamental pillars of democratic governance.
“The SML deal stinks. If they think hiding the KPMG report will make us forget the SML scandal, they should think again. The SML scandal will not die. And those behind in the past and in the future will face justice, no matter how long it takes.”
He also referenced former President John Dramani Mahama’s release of the full GYEEDA report during his tenure, emphasizing the significance of transparency in addressing matters of public interest.
“Even when we did not have the Right to Information Law, President John Mahama released a white paper and released the full GYEEDA Report as well. The Akufo-Addo-led opposition NPP was the loudest in asking President Mahama to release that report, which was also a subject of my investigation in 2013.”
“What is Akufo-Addo hiding from us?” he asked.
KPMG, an auditing firm, has completed and submitted its report on the contract between the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Ltd (SML) to President Akufo-Addo.
The President tasked KPMG with auditing the contract on January 2, 2024, setting an initial deadline of January 16, 2024, which was later extended to February 23, 2024.
According to the audit findings, SML received a total of GH¢1,061,054,778.00 from 2018 to date, while only partially fulfilling its obligations. However, the report also acknowledged that SML’s efforts had contributed to increased revenue in the downstream petroleum sector.
Despite the audit report’s claims, SML has disputed receiving GH¢1,061,054,778.00 for its contract with the GRA. They argue that KPMG’s figure was cited “without reference to the investments made and the taxes paid” during the review period.
In response to the report, Sulemana Braimah, Executive Director of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), stated that the foundation had submitted a Right to Information (RTI) request to the presidency for the full KPMG Audit Report.