Prez Akuffo-Addo Deepens Transparent Governance…Releases GRA-SML Report

In a decisive move prioritising transparency, President Nana Akufo-Addo has ordered the release of a KPMG audit report examining transactions between the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and Strategic Mobilization Ghana Ltd (SML). This decision comes amid growing public interest and calls for greater accountability in government operations.
The KPMG report, handed over to the Presidency on March 27, 2024, led to an initial summary being released on April 24, 2024, following the president’s directive. The summary included several key actions:
•⁠ ⁠Ending the upstream petroleum and minerals audit services with SML.
•⁠ ⁠Instructing the Ministry of Finance and GRA to conduct thorough technical and value-for-money assessments, along with stakeholder engagements, before implementing any audit services for upstream petroleum and minerals.
•⁠ ⁠Considering the termination of transaction audit and external price verification services, as KPMG found GRA’s new external price verification tools in ICUMS made SML’s services redundant.
•⁠ ⁠Reviewing the fee structure for SML’s downstream petroleum audit services.
•⁠ ⁠Ensuring that SML’s performance in any renegotiated contracts is closely monitored and evaluated.
President Akufo-Addo’s decision to release the full KPMG report signals his commitment to enhancing government transparency. This move responds to public demands for openness and sets a positive example for how the government handles sensitive audit findings.
The report’s release also allows the public to scrutinise and understand the impact and benefits of SML’s services on revenue generation. By fostering an environment of transparency and accountability, President Akufo-Addo is demonstrating his administration’s dedication to good governance.
This decision could have wider implications for how the government engages with private contractors. The thorough assessments and policy adjustments stemming from the KPMG report highlight a shift towards more accountable and results-focused governance. It sends a clear message that contracts and services, especially those involving significant public funds, will be subjected to stringent oversight and continuous evaluation.