NDC calls for complete cancellation of SML-GRA contracts; Demands recovery of payments

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has demanded an immediate halt to all contracts between Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML) and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).

The party also called for the recovery of all payments related to the contracts to safeguard the public funds.

At its ‘Moment of Truth ‘press conference in Accra,’ NDC’s National Communications Officer Sammy Gyamfivcriticized the current administration’s handling of the SML-GRA contracts.

On Wednesday, April 24, 2024, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo responded to a KPMG audit report by recommending the termination of two out of three contracts.

The two contracts were the Transaction Audit Service Agreement and the External Price Verification Agreement. He also suggested a review of the third contract, the Downstream Petroleum Audit Service Agreement.

However, contrary to the President’s directive, Sammy Gyamfi insisted that “all three contracts must be terminated, and all payments related to them should be recovered to protect the public purse.” immediately be abrogated,” citing their award’s lack of due process and legality.

“These contracts were awarded without adhering to the Public Procurement law, the GRA Act, and the Public Financial Management Act (PFMA). They weren’t approved by the GRA board or Parliament as required, rendering them illegal, null, void, and of no legal effect,” Mr. Gyamfi asserted.

He further criticized the contracts as ‘duplicitous, needless, and detrimental to the nation’s interests,’ stating that both the Fourth Estate and KPMG had shown there were no value-for-money assessments before the contracts were awarded.

Sammy Gyamfi also dismissed claims by SML that its services had significantly reduced malfeasance in the downstream petroleum sector, pointing out the lack of evidence provided by the company to support its claims of savings to the country.

“The government’s claim that the state has benefited from these services based on increased petroleum volumes and tax revenue is utterly ridiculous. These are due to general increases in consumption and prices, not the actions of SML,” he explained.

Mr. Gyamfi called for the immediate release of the full KPMG report and the prosecution of all individuals involved in the SML deal.

He further stated that an NDC government would not recognize the contracts with SML, promising thorough investigations and recovery of any illegal payments made to SML.

“When elected, we shall launch credible and transparent investigations into this stinking SML scandal, and ensure the prosecution of all persons complicit in these illegal transactions,” he added.