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Five Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) are pursuing the recovery of over GH₵1 billion paid to Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML).
Earlier this year, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo commissioned audit firm KPMG to review the transaction between the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and SML. This contract was intended to improve revenue assurance in the downstream petroleum sector, upstream petroleum production, and the minerals and metals resources value chain.
KPMG’s report revealed that the GRA failed to secure the necessary approvals from the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) or Parliament for the contract.
In response, the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP), Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC), Human Rights and Governance Centre, and the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) have filed a lawsuit against the government.
Sulemana Braimah, Executive Director of MFWA, told Citi News on Monday, “The KPMG report highlighted issues that necessitate action to ensure the state recovers what is due. Our concern is not just with the report but with the improper procedures identified in the contract’s execution.”
He continued, “Laws are established not just for formality but to ensure proper governance, equity, fairness, and accountability. The SML contract appears to have breached several laws, particularly those related to public procurement and parliamentary oversight.”
Braimah emphasized, “If laws were violated and money was lost due to these breaches, it is imperative that these funds are recovered and returned to the state. We are advocating for the enforcement of the law and the restitution of the funds.”
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