Honorary Vice President of IMANI-Africa, Bright Simons, has called on KPMG, a global professional services firm, to reconsider and reject President Akufo-Addo's directive to audit the SML/GRA contract.

The directive, issued by the President, seeks an extensive examination of the contract between the Strategic Mobilization Limited (SML) and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).

Simmons, known for his unwavering commitment to good governance and ethical business practices, contends that the audit may compromise the independence and integrity of KPMG, given the political sensitivity surrounding the contract.

In a Tweet made on January 2, 2023, Mr Simons said: “KPMG's practice oversight bosses should prudently preserve the firm's reputation & drop this assignment. This issue is a hot political potato right now. The nature of the allegations requires an IN-DEPTH look by state bodies with the RIGHT POWERS & INDEPENDENCE. KPMG has neither.”

His comments follow President Akufo-Addo’s directive to the KPMG to carry out a full blown audit into the contract.

The President’s directive also follows an investigative piece by the Fourth Estate on what it terms as a shady deal between the SML Ghana and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).

The President’s action comes after an investigation by The Fourth Estate revealed that SML had been awarded contracts that entitles 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.

The directive reflects a commitment to ensuring transparency and accountability in the execution of the GRA's contractual agreement with SML.

"The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has appointed KPMG, the reputable Audit, Tax and Advisory Services firm, to conduct an immediate audit into the transaction between the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Ltd (SML), a contract which was entered into to enhance revenue assurance in the downstream petroleum sector, the upstream petroleum production and minerals and metals resources value chain," an excerpt of the release said.

President 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.