KPMG report on SML/GRA deal exempt from public disclosure — Presidency refuses MFWA’s request for full copy

The government has refused to disclose the full findings of an audit into the controversial oil revenue deal with Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML).

The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) filed requests under the Right to Information Acts to access the complete KPMG report on the contract between SML and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).

But in a letter dated May 7, the Presidency denied the request, citing exemptions of information used for the President's decision-making.

Only a summary of selected findings from the audit has been publicly released so far.

The SML agreement has faced allegations of failing to deliver promised returns for Ghana following an investigative piece by the Fourth Estate.

Questions were raised about whether SML's work increased tax revenues as claimed.

In response, President Akufo-Addo commissioned auditing firm KPMG to conduct a thorough review of the contract and transactions earlier this year.

On April 24, the President issued directives on KPMG’s report. The release noted that KPMG found among other things that the work done by SML resulted in closing a petroleum lifting volume of 1.7 billion litres and generating tax revenues of about GH¢2.45 billion for the period May 2020 – December 2023.

The release also listed some legal and governance breaches in the award of SML’s contract.

However, the findings of KPMG have been challenged by the Civil Society Organisations who in their view, no increase in volumes benefited from SML’s work and consequently, no tax revenue was derived.