If there’s nothing to hide, then release full copy of KPMG audit of SML/GRA deal — MFWA boss to Akufo-Addo

Sulemana Braimah, Executive Director of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), has hit back at Ghana’s seat of government over its refusal to grant his outfit’s Right to Information request.

The MFWA filed requests under the Right to Information Acts to access the complete KPMG report on a contract between SML and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).

Only a summary of selected findings from the audit has been publicly released so far.

But in a letter dated May 7, the Presidency denied the request, citing exemptions of information used for the President's decision-making.

This, according to the media freedom advocate, implies the presidency is hiding something in the controversial deal.

In a post on X on Thursday, May 9, Mr. Braimah dares President Akufo-Addo to allow for the full release of the audit if there is nothing he is trying to hide.

“Mr. President, what's in the KPMG report that's being hidden from the public? If there's nothing to hide, release the it. The masses have a right to know! Misinterpreting the exempt provisions of the RTI Law to refuse to release the report is untenable,” he wrote.

Background:
The SML agreement has faced allegations of failing to deliver promised returns for Ghana following an investigative piece by the Fourth Estate.

Questions were raised about whether SML's work increased tax revenues as claimed.

In response, President Akufo-Addo commissioned auditing firm KPMG to conduct a thorough review of the contract and transactions earlier this year.

On April 24, the President issued directives on KPMG’s report. The release noted that KPMG found among other things that the work done by SML resulted in closing a petroleum lifting volume of 1.7 billion litres and generating tax revenues of about GH¢2.45 billion for the period May 2020 – December 2023.

The release also listed some legal and governance breaches in the award of SML’s contract.

However, the findings of KPMG have been challenged by the Civil Society Organisations who in their view, no increase in volumes benefited from SML’s work and consequently, no tax revenue was derived.