SML deal: Release KPMG audit report to improve your corruption fight track record – Prof. Gyampo to Akufo-Addo

Senior Political Science lecturer at the University of Ghana, Legon, Prof. Ransford Gyampo has urged President Akufo-Addo to make public the audit report submitted by KPMG on the rotten deal between the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Ltd (SML).

President Akufo-Addo early this year directed KPMG to conduct an audit into transactions of the deal between the state and SML after the Fourth Estate revealed that the country is paying millions to the company for no job done in an exposé titled; The GHS3 billion lie.

Reports indicate that at the end of the audit, KPMG on March 27, presented its report to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

Reacting to the development, Prof. Ransford Gyampo in a post on Facebook said the President should release the report in the interest of the public.

He said this would help improve the track record of the president as far as the corruption fight is concerned.

“Dear President Akufo Addo, I am told KPMG has submitted its report on the SML deal. Given that there were serious allegations of corruption about the deal by a media house, I write as a Citizen to respectfully remind you that, you cannot sit on the report. The good people of Ghana have the RIGHT to know the contents of the report, and this is a simple truism that must not elude any government that believes in the dogmas of accountability and transparency.

“My teacher, Prof E. Gyimah-Boadi has publicly noted that your track record in the fight against corruption is in tatters. In my candid view, the timeous release of the KPMG report on the SML deal, would be helpful in shaping and improving this track record,” Prof. Ransford Gyampo said in his statement.

Below is a copy of the statement:
Dear President Akufo Addo, I am told KPMG has submitted its report on the SML deal. Given that there were serious allegations of corruption about the deal by a media house, I write as a Citizen to respectfully remind you that, you cannot sit on the report. The good people of Ghana have the RIGHT to know the contents of the report, and this is a simple truism that must not elude any government that believes in the dogmas of accountability and transparency.

The guys in the media who reported the matter and made serious allegations of corruption about the deal, may, for whatever reason, suddenly not be interested in pushing you to get the report out. But, you do not need the media to force you to do the needful. You used to advocate for human rights many years ago, when you weren’t President of Ghana, and you probably know better than all Ghanaians that, the good people of Ghana, have the right to know what is contained in the KPMG work on the SML.

At the moment, rumors are being peddled that, you probably want to “cover-up” or tamper with the report. A simple swift publication of the report would prevent these rumors from festering. Respectfully, Sir, even though you are done and exiting, I think you must be interested in the legacy you are leaving behind in promoting good governance, accountability, transparency, responsiveness and in the fight against corruption. You must also be interested in how your last minute actions and inactions impact on the electoral fortunes of the political organization that birthed your presidency.

My teacher, Prof E. Gyimah-Boadi has publicly noted that your track record in the fight against corruption is in tatters. In my candid view, the timeous release of the KPMG report on the SML deal, would be helpful in shaping and improving this track record. All is not lost, Mr President, there is some room for improvement. Please release the KPMG Report on the SML deal, for the good people of Ghana have the right to know.

Yaw Gyampo
A31, Prabiw
P.A.V. Ansah Street
Saltpond
Suro Nipa House
Behind Old Post Office
Larteh-Akuapim