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The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has accused the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government of attempting to cover up corruption and criminality in the ongoing SML matter. The Presidency recently released a report detailing the President’s directives on recommendations from a yet-to-be-published KPMG investigation.
Speaking at a Moment of Truth press conference at its Adabraka headquarters, Sammy Gyamfi, the National Communication Officer of the NDC, stated that all transactions conducted by SML under its transaction audit, downstream petroleum, and external price verification contracts are illegal, null, and void, and have no legal effect.
The NDC argues that these single-sourced contracts did not receive approval from the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) board or Parliamentary approval as required under section 33 of the Public Financial Management Act. This, according to the party, renders all payments to SML illegal and constitutes a financial loss to the state.
The communication from the Presidency seems to support findings by KPMG that the services provided by SML have saved the country approximately GH₵3 billion. The report also notes that the State has benefited from SML’s downstream petroleum audit services, resulting in an increase in petroleum volumes by 1.7 billion liters and tax revenue to the State amounting to GH₵2.45 billion.
The NDC views these claims by the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia NPP government as an attempt to cover up the actions of those involved in the scandal, as there is no evidence to support any work done by SML.
The NDC reiterated a recent promise by its flag-bearer and leader, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, to terminate the illegal contracts between the Government of Ghana and SML should the party win the 2024 general elections.
The party also announced its intention to launch credible and transparent investigations to recover all illegal payments made to SML and prosecute all individuals involved in these illegal transactions.
