President Akufo-Addo has taken the bold step of ordering an audit into the contractual agreement between the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML).
The audit, to be carried out by KPMG, is scheduled to span a two-week period. This action was prompted by an investigation by The Fourth Estate, which revealed that SML had been awarded contracts amounting to over $100 million annually.
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The probe uncovered that SML had not been fulfilling its advertised services, leading the company to retract its claims from its website. Additionally, SML's Managing Director, Christian Tetteh Sottie, admitted that the company's assertion of having saved Ghana GHS3 billion was inaccurate.
In light of these revelations, President Akufo-Addo has directed the Ministry of Finance and GRA to facilitate KPMG's audit by providing all necessary documentation. Moreover, the President has instructed the immediate suspension of the contract's execution by both the Ministry of Finance and the Ghana Revenue Authority until the audit report is submitted, including any anticipated payments stipulated under the contract terms.
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The President's decision underscores a commitment to upholding transparency and accountability within the GRA's contractual engagements, emphasizing the need for rigorous examination and adherence to due process. In a press statement issued by Communications Director Eugene Arhin, the President's directive outlined the specific terms of reference framework to be employed by KPMG during the audit process.
This decisive action reflects the government's dedication to ensuring the responsible execution and oversight of contractual agreements, with the objective of safeguarding the nation's fiscal interests and maintaining the integrity of its partnerships.
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