Next NDC gov’t will scrap illegal contracts signed by Akufo-Addo administration – Sammy Gyamfi
The National Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has reiterated that the next NDC government will not recognise any illegal contract signed by the Akufo-Addo government when voted into power.
According to Mr Gyamfi, this is due to the numerous corruption allegations associated with these contracts, specifically the Ghana Revenue Authority’s deal with Strategic Mobilization Ghana Limited (SML), which they said had resulted in a substantial financial loss to the State.
Speaking at the NDC’s Moment of Truth series held at the party’s headquarters in Accra, Sammy Gyamfi said, “The NDC wishes to reiterate the pledge by our flag-bearer and leader, John Mahama, that the next NDC government will not recognise the illegal contracts between the Government of Ghana and SML, upon assumption of office in the year 2025”.
“When elected into office, we shall launch credible and transparent investigations into this stinking SML scandal to retrieve for the State all illegal payments made to SML and ensure the prosecution of all persons who are complicit in these illegal transactions,” he assured.
The communication officer’s claim follows similar ones made by former President John Mahama in the wake of allegations of corruption related to the SML deal with the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).
“While in opposition, sole-sourcing was tantamount to corruption according to the NPP. Breaches of the procurement law were considered an abomination. Indeed, since 2017, the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia NPP government has prosecuted several persons for alleged procurement and other statutory breaches.
“Some of these people have been convicted and are languishing in jail today. In fact, the former Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Mrs. Charlotte Osei, was removed from office on grounds of procurement breaches.
“This standard of accountability cannot and will not be any different for members of the ruling NPP who are responsible for the sleazy SML deal and other corruption scandals,” he explained.
Sammy Gyamfi further added, “As our Running Mate for the 2024 elections indicated in her erudite and inspiring address to the nation last week Wednesday, anyone who has participated in the plunder of the state will be held accountable.
“This is not a threat; it is a promise, premised on the wishes of our citizens across the various political and social divides, and hinged on the principle of accountability.”
Background
President Akufo-Addo, on January 2, 2024, ordered an audit into the contract between the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML).
The audit to be conducted by KPMG was slated to last for two weeks.
The President’s action followed an investigation by The Fourth Estate, which revealed that SML had been awarded contracts that entitle the company to more than $100 million every year.
The company admitted it was not performing the advertised services that claimed to tackle under-reporting, diversion and dilution when the investigative journalists confronted it with evidence. It has since deleted those claims from its website.
The Managing Director of SML, Christian Tetteh Sottie, also admitted that the company’s claim that its services had saved Ghana GHS3 billion was false.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo further instructed the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the Ministry of Finance to adhere to his directive and furnish KPMG with all necessary documentation for the upcoming audit.
In response to the audit conducted by KPMG, President Akufo-Addo, last week directed that the upstream petroleum audit and minerals audit services by SML be terminated.