The Flagbearer of opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) John Mahama has stated that the next NDC government will not recognize any agreement with Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML) due to corruption in the deal.
He unequivocally stated, “the NDC government under me will not accept or recognize this SML agreement. We will not accept or recognize the SML agreement.”
This strong position comes in the wake of allegations of corruption related to the SML deal, where the company receives up to GH₵24 million monthly payments from the government of Ghana.
The contract, which involved monitoring Upstream Petroleum Production and auditing the value chain of Minerals and Metals Resources, came under scrutiny following an investigation by “The Fourth Estate” media establishment.
Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo took swift action on January 2, 2024, instructing the finance ministry and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to suspend the controversial revenue assurances contract with SML, and tasked KPMG to conduct an audit to assess the appropriateness of the deal.
Meanwhile Parliament has also initiated investigation into the alleged shady contract.
Addressing Professional bodies in Koforidua as part of his two-day tour of the Eastern Region, President Mahama specifically called out the handling of the SML agreement, declaring that, if elected, his government would neither accept nor recognize it.
Mahama sounded resolute in rejecting any agreements tied to the SML and promised accountability for funds already disbursed.
“The NDC government under me will not accept or recognize this SML agreement. We will not accept or recognize the SML agreement. Parliament is investigating it. The President hurriedly went to get KPMG to come and audit it. Whatever audit they do we say we won’t accept or respect any agreement with SML. And for the money that they’ve taken already we would hold them to account,” Mr. Mahama said.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Kojo Ansah
