By Ashiadey Dotse
President John Dramani Mahama has directed the immediate termination of all contracts between the Government of Ghana and Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML).
The directive follows the conclusion of an investigation by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) into revenue assurance contracts between SML and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).
In a letter signed by the Secretary to the President, Dr. Callistus Mahama, and addressed to the Minister of Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, the President instructed that all existing agreements with SML be ended without delay.
The OSP investigation, led by Special Prosecutor Mr. Kissi Agyebeng, uncovered alleged procurement breaches, questionable contract arrangements, and a lack of value for money. Mr. Agyebeng stated that SML’s contracts were awarded through “self-serving official patronage, sponsorship, and promotion based on false and unverified claims,” adding that there was no genuine need for the company’s services.
However, SML has rejected the findings, insisting that its operations were transparent and beneficial to the country. In a statement issued on Friday, October 31, the company said it had “fully cooperated with all lawful investigations” and urged the public to rely on verified facts.
“We remain proud of the work done, the controls that governed it, and the measurable value created for Ghana,” SML’s Lead Counsel stated.
The company explained that its contracts with the GRA were based on a “risk-and-reward” model aimed at boosting national revenue collection through audits, external price verification, and petroleum measurement services. Payments, it added, were made only after results were verified by GRA.
This latest decision follows a similar move in May 2024, when the GRA, under former President Akufo-Addo’s directive, terminated parts of the SML contract and suspended others for review.
