Government allocated a substantial $320,000 to consultancy giant KPMG for an investigation into alleged corrupt contracts between the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and Strategic Mobilization Ghana Ltd (SML), as reported by StatsGH.

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These contracts have come under intense scrutiny for suspected opacity and potential financial misconduct.

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In a recent update on the X platform, "BREAKING Government of Ghana paid KPMG $320,000 to make a report on the corrupt contracts GRA signed with SML. Today, the Government says it cannot show the report to the tax payer under the RTI".

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BREAKING Government of Ghana paid KPMG $320,000 to make a report on the corrupt contracts GRA signed with SML. Today, the Government says it cannot show the report to the tax payer under the RTI.— StatsGH (@StatsGH) May 8, 2024

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Despite the considerable investment in this inquiry, the Government has now stated its inability to make the report public under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.

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This decision has triggered widespread indignation among citizens and transparency advocates, who have long clamored for increased governmental accountability.

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Many are questioning the wisdom of allocating such a substantial sum for a report now withheld from public view.

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Critics argue that transparency and accountability are indispensable tenets of effective governance.

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They contend that withholding the report erodes public confidence in the government's commitment to combatting corruption.

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Following a request by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) for access to the comprehensive KPMG audit report, the Presidency, in a letter dated May 7, 2024, declined the Right to Information (RTI) application.

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The decision has drawn condemnation, with Manasseh, part of the MFWA team reporting on the "SML scandal," criticizing President Akufo-Addo's refusal to release the complete report.

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Manasseh underscored the precedent set by President John Dramani Mahama, who, even without the Right to Information Law, released critical reports to the public.

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He questioned Akufo-Addo's motives for withholding the KPMG report and pledged continued scrutiny of the SML scandal.

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In response to the MFWA's request, the Presidency cited section 5 (1) (a) and (b) (i) of the RTI Act, claiming the report's contents contain deliberative processes integral to the President's decision-making and are therefore exempt from disclosure.

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Despite this refusal, the Presidency asserted that the report's findings and recommendations had been disclosed in a detailed press statement.

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“Upon careful consideration and in accordance with section 5 (1) (a) and (b) (i) of the RTI Act, I regret to inform you that your request has been refused. Section 5 (1) (a) and (b) (i) states that information prepared for or submitted to the President or Vice President containing opinions, advice, deliberations, recommendations, minutes, or consultations, is exempt from disclosure and that disclosure of such information would compromise the integrity of the deliberative process by revealing the thought process, considerations, and influence on decision-making reserved for the highest offices of the land.

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“The full KPMG Audit Report comprises opinions, advice, deliberations, and recommendations that are integral to the President’s deliberative process and, therefore, qualifies as exempt information under section 5 (1) (a) and (b) (i),” the letter read in part.

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