The Majority in Parliament has mounted a spirited defense of the Ghana Revenue Authority-Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML) deal. The caucus insists that no wrong has been done.
Concerns have been rife amongst the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) and some Civil Society Organisations who have called for an abrogation of the contract following the issuance of the government’s white paper after a KPMG audit.
Speaking to journalists in Parliament Friday, May 03, 2024, Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, cautioned his NDC colleagues and CSOs against what he believes could destroy indigenous Ghanaian businesses.
“Often times, under the guise of due diligence, under the guise of transparency, we often get out of control and destroy Ghanaian businesses, whereas foreign firms who operate in certain sectors get the kind of protection that makes them develop their businesses,” he said.
The Majority insist the legal issues raised by the NDC and CSOs against the deal, in particular, the demand that the deal should have come to Parliament for approval are all without basis.
Two weeks ago, President Akufo-Addo instructed the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the Ministry of Finance to renegotiate the revenue assurance contract with Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML).
The President emphasised that the renegotiation should be closely monitored and evaluated periodically to ensure it meets expectations.
The decision to renegotiate the contract follows the President’s acceptance of the recommendation by KPMG after its audit into the deal.
On the issue of calls for the president to make the KPMG report public, the Majority Leader stressed, “much as it is written in law that public documents for the sake of transparency and good governance be released to the public and members of the public have the right to receive it, it is also a bonafide of the President.”
GRA-SML deal: For once you have done well but release the entire report – Gyampo tells Akufo-Addo
By Komla Klutse|TV3
