President Akufo-Addo of Ghana has made a decisive move towards transparency by releasing the complete KPMG report on the dealings between the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Ltd (SML). This release, according to Eugene Arhin, Director of Communications at the presidency, is a strategic step to enhance openness and honesty within government operations. The president’s decision directly responds to the public’s demand for clarity and accountability regarding the controversial transactions.
The comprehensive report, previously under wraps due to concerns over national interest and presidential advisement privacy, details the contract and operations between GRA and SML. The decision to make this report public comes after persistent requests from media and transparency advocates, including a formal request from the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) under the Right to Information Act.
Initial Controversy and Request for Disclosure
The inquiry into the GRA-SML transaction began with a formal request by the MFWA, aiming to scrutinize the actions and agreements under the current administration. Initially, the presidency denied this request, citing the Right to Information Act, which protects information potentially harmful to the deliberative processes of the presidency. However, a judicial pronouncement on a similar case provided a precedent that reassessed the exemption clauses, pushing the boundaries on what constitutes public interest information.
This backdrop set the stage for President Akufo-Addo’s commissioned inquiry by KPMG on December 29, 2023. The aim was to dissect the transaction thoroughly and provide the president with informed recommendations on how to proceed with such complex governmental contracts. As the details of these recommendations and the broader implications of the KPMG report come to light, stakeholders are keenly observing how the administration handles the findings.
Impact and Governmental Response
By releasing the full report, the presidency not only aligns with global standards of governmental transparency but also sets a precedent for future dealings within the Ghanaian public sector. This action is anticipated to foster a deeper understanding among Ghanaian citizens and stakeholders about the intricacies of government contracts and the necessity of stringent oversight.
Moreover, the publication of the report is expected to quell rumors and misinformation, providing the public with factual data directly from the source. It also reinforces the president’s commitment to an accountable administration, willing to expose its contractual engagements to public scrutiny to ensure that governance is not only performed correctly but also perceived as such by the public.
As the document is now publicly accessible, it opens the door for informed debates and discussions, allowing the media, analysts, and the citizenry to engage with the content critically. This engagement is crucial as it underpins democratic governance and reinforces the checks and balances essential in a thriving democracy.
Source: Graphic Online
