President Akufo-Addo has taken steps to enhance transparency and accountability by releasing the comprehensive KPMG report on the contract between the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML).
Responding to public demands for clarity regarding the contract’s terms and implementation, the President made the decision to disclose the KPMG report, which offers a detailed examination of the agreement’s provisions and implications.
Commissioned to scrutinize the partnership, the KPMG report delves into the intricacies of the collaboration, aimed at bolstering revenue collection in Ghana through the utilization of advanced technological solutions.
The agreement with SML was designed to harness innovative technologies to streamline tax collection processes, mitigate revenue losses, and enhance overall operational efficiency within the GRA.
In a statement issued by Eugene Arhin, the Communications Director at the Presidency, it was revealed that President Akufo-Addo received a formal request from the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) under section 18 of the Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989) (RTI Act), prompting the release of the KPMG report on April 24, 2024.
“Bearing in mind the provisions of the RTI Act, particularly section 5 (1) (a) and (b) (i) of the Act, the President denied the request by MFWA since the KPMG report constitutes matters exempt under section 5 of the RTI Act.
“Section 5 (1) (a) and (b) (i) of the RTI Act states that “information is exempt from disclosure where the information is prepared for submission or has been submitted to the President or Vice President for consideration or contains matters the disclosure of which would reveal information concerning opinion, advice, deliberation, recommendation, minutes or consultation made or given to the President or Vice President and is likely to undermine the deliberative process on the part of the President or Vice President.”
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