The Office of the Special Prosecutor has started investigations into the contentious contract between Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML) and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).
The focus of the probe is on potential procurement breaches and allegations of corruption and corruption-related activities.
This investigative action comes in response to a complaint filed on December 18, 2023, by The Fourth Estate, represented by three journalists—Evans Aziamor-Mensah, Adwoa Adobea-Owusu, and Manasseh Azure Awuni, as indicated in the Office of the Special Prosecutor’s half-yearly report released on December 29, 2023.
“The Office has commenced a preliminary investigation into contractual arrangements between Strategic Mobilization Ghana Limited (a company registered in Ghana) and Ghana Revenue Authority for the stated objective of the enhancement of revenue assurance in the downstream petroleum sector, upstream petroleum production, and minerals and metals resources value chain.”
“The preliminary investigation is based on a complaint filed on 18 December 2023 by The Fourth Estate (a project of Media Foundation for West Africa) represented by three (3) journalists – Evans Aziamor-Mensah, Adwoa Adobea-Owusu, and Manasseh Azure Awuni. The complaint alleged possible corruption, including breaches of the Public Procurement Act, in respect of the contractual arrangements,” the OSP added.
The Fourth Estate, in a December 2023 investigative report, implicated Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML), the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), and the Ministry of Finance.
The report alleged that GRA granted SML a purported 10-year contract with an annual payment of $100 million, raising concerns about possible irregularities.
SML refuted the claim, asserting that it had a five-year contract instead.
The GRA, in a statement on December 20, 2023, maintained that the proper procurement procedures were followed.
On January 3, 2024, SML welcomed President Akufo-Addo’s directive to suspend its ongoing revenue assurance operations and undergo an audit of its contract with the GRA and the Ministry of Finance.
President Akufo-Addo appointed KPMG, an audit, tax, and advisory services firm, to conduct the immediate audit.
SML expressed confidence that the audit would provide a clear and accurate depiction of its operations.
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