The decision by President Akufo-Addo’s administration to withhold the full audit report by KPMG concerning the contentious revenue contract involving the Ghana Revenue Authority, the Ministry of Finance, and the Strategic Mobilization Limited (SML) has ignited a firestorm of public outrage and further raised serious concerns about transparency and accountability in Ghana’s governance.

Many civil society leaders, advocates and a large section of the public have expressed their disappointment over the Presidency’s refusal to grant the Media Foundation for West Africa’s request for the complete KPMG report.

For most critics, denying access to such critical information only deepens suspicion and scepticism surrounding the nature of the SML deal and the actions of government officials implicated.

Renowned investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni commenting on the vexed matter, expressed his dismay, drawing attention to the precedent set by former President John Dramani Mahama, who, even before the enactment of the Right to Information Law, released a white paper and the full GYEEDA Report.

Mr Awuni in expressing his surprise over the refusal by the Office of the President questioned the motives behind President Akufo-Addo-led opposition, the New Patriotic Party’s previous demands for transparency under Mr Mahama’s tenure, contrasting it with their present stance on the release of the full KPMG report.

“What is Akufo-Addo hiding from us? The SML deal stinks. If they think hiding the KPMG report will make us forget the SML scandal, they should think again. The SML scandal will not die. And those behind in the past and the future will face justice, no matter how long it takes”.
Manesseh Azure Awuni, Ace Investigative Journalist

Suspicion of Cover-up

In a similar critique, Dr Kwame Asiedu Sarpong, a Democracy and Development Fellow at the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), expressed disappointment over President Akufo-Addo’s reluctance to disclose the KPMG report on the controversial SML matter.

Dr Sarpong’s confusion stems from the belief that if the President indeed acted in good faith in his action over the controversial matter, there should be no reason for him to withhold such a crucial information from the public.

He further asserted strongly that the continued secrecy only serves to fuel suspicions of a potential cover-up by the ruling government on the Strategic Mobilization Limited saga.

The concerns raised by the Ace Investigative Journalist, Manasseh Azure Awuni and Dr Kwame Asiedu Sarpong, the D&D Fellow at CDD-Ghana underscore the gravity of the situation.

The refusal by the Office of the President to release the full KPMG report on such a controversial matter not only undermines the principles of transparency and accountability but also erodes public trust in the government’s commitment to upholding such fundamental democratic values.

The SML scandal without doubt has cast a shadow over the reputation of the Ministry of Finance and the Ghana Revenue Authority, and the refusal to disclose the KPMG report only exacerbates concerns about the credibility of government officials and the effectiveness of oversight mechanisms.

In light of these developments, there is therefore an urgent need for the Presidency to heed the calls for transparency and accountability to publish the full KPMG report.

Given the controversial nature of the Ministry of Finance, the Ghana Revenue Authority, and the Strategic Mobilization Limited, coupled with the immense public interest in the matter, the Presidency must dispel any notion of cover-up by promptly releasing the full KPMG report.

Upholding the principle of transparency and accountability is not just a matter of political expediency but a fundamental tenet of democracy and good governance.

Failure to do so would only further erode public confidence and deepen the perception of government opacity on suspected corruption cases and perceived reluctance by President Akufo-Addo to punish his appointees, who engage in act of corruption.