A group of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) focused on good governance, resource management, and fighting corruption has strongly urged President-elect John Dramani Mahama to cancel the Strategic Mobilization Limited (SML) contract.According to the CSOs, the current SML deal has funneled millions of Ghana cedis into private hands without providing the country with enough benefits.

0

They believe ending this contract will help rebuild public trust in how government finances are managed and plug a major source of revenue loss.

1

The CSOs involved include Third World Network-Africa (TWN-Africa), iWatch Africa, Revenue Mobilization Africa (RMA), the Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI), the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC), the Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP), the Institute of Energy Security (IES), the Center for Extractives and Development (CEDA), IMANI Center for Policy and Education, and the HELP Foundation Africa.

2

"Your Excellency, the Coalition stands ready to support your administration in implementing reforms that enhance transparency, accountability, and efficiency," the CSOs wrote in a letter to the President-elect on December 11. To this end, we respectfully present the following recommendations as critical priorities for your new administration:“1. Terminate the Strategic Mobilization Limited (SML) Contract.

3

The ongoing SML contract has diverted millions of Ghanaian cedis into private hands without delivering commensurate value to the nation. Terminating this agreement will seal a significant revenue leakage and restore public confidence in financial management practices.”According to a report by citinewsroom.

4

com, the CSOs urged the president-elect to abrogate the Agyapa Royalties agreement and reassess the Mineral Income Investment Fund (MIIF) Act.“Abolish the Agyapa Royalties Deal and Review the Mineral Income Investment Fund (MIIF) Act. We urge your administration to permanently terminate the Agyapa Royalties Deal, which threatens Ghana’s mineral wealth and has faced widespread public rejection.

5

”Additionally, they pushed for changes in the energy sector and urged the president-elect to lessen political meddling in state-owned enterprises (SOEs) that work in this field.“Limit political interference in State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) within the energy sector, especially GNPC and Ghana Gas, to promote leadership stability and operational efficiency.

6

“Address persistent challenges in the energy distribution value chain, which have eroded sector performance and profitability.”

7