The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has vowed to take legal action against those involved in what it describes as "illegal contracts" between the Government of Ghana and Strategic Mobilization Limited (SML), with a particular focus on the contentious agreement with the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).
Speaking to the media at the NDC's Moment of Truth series at the party's headquarters in Accra on April 29, 2024, Sammy Gyamfi, the National Communications Officer of the NDC, highlighted the party's dedication to maintaining accountability and transparency in government dealings.
Gyamfi emphasized that should the NDC come to power in the forthcoming elections, they will not honor contracts considered illegal and will endeavor to recover any funds lost to such deals.
"The NDC wishes to reaffirm the commitment made by our flagbearer and leader, John Mahama, that the next NDC administration will not acknowledge the unlawful contracts between the Government of Ghana and SML, upon taking office in 2025," Gyamfi declared.
The NDC's concern centers on the contract between the GRA and SML, which allegedly guaranteed SML monthly payments of up to GH¢24 million for downstream services.
Gyamfi denounced the agreement as a "flagrant SML scandal" and proclaimed that investigations would be initiated to recoup any illicit payments made to SML and to prosecute all those implicated in the purported malfeasance.
The dispute over the SML deal emerged after an exposé by "The Fourth Estate," leading President Nana Akufo-Addo to suspend the contract on January 2, 2024.
A subsequent audit by KPMG resulted in the cessation of SML's services in both upstream petroleum and minerals auditing.
Nevertheless, Gyamfi asserted that the NDC would undertake its own probe into the affair, irrespective of the measures taken by the incumbent government.
"When we are elected to office, we will commence credible and transparent investigations into this egregious SML scandal, aiming to reclaim for the State all unlawful payments made to SML and to prosecute all those complicit in these illicit transactions," he stated.
Credit: ghanaweb.com