Akufo-Addo extends time limit for KPMG’s audit of questionable SML contract

The President, Nana Akufo-Addo has extended the time limit given to audit firm KPMG, to complete its audit on the questionable contract between the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Ltd (SML).

From the initial date of Tuesday, 16th January 2024, KPMG is now expected to complete its work on Friday, 23rd February 2024.

This is in response to a request made by KPMG to the President, asking for an extension of the two weeks given to them to complete the task.

A statement signed by the Director of Communications at the presidency, Eugene Arhin, on Wednesday, said, “KPMG is to submit its final report no later than Friday, 23rd February 2024.”

The statement further noted that the president had also taken note of the request made by GRA, asking for his permission to allow the monitoring system installed and used by SML to continue, notwithstanding the suspension of its GRA-related operations.

This comes after the GRA had argued that the “system will continue to record data real-time until your further directive after the conclusion of the investigation.”

They made this request in a rejoinder to the President dated January 16, 2024, and signed by the Commissioner General of GRA, Rev. Dr Amishaddai Owusu-Amoah.

The request, according to GRA, stemmed from concerns raised by SML about operation ramifications and disruptions that would arise from the intended suspension of operations.

In a statement by the Jubilee House, the President “directed that the status quo, with respect to the suspension of the performance of the contract, should remain in effect until the completion of the audit and, subsequent, submission of the audit report by KPMG.”