The presidency has denied a request for copy of the audit report on the contract between the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML) submitted by KPMG.
The request was made by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) under the Right to Information (RTI) law.
A letter dated May 7, 2024 and signed by the Chief Director of the Office of the President, H.M. Wood, said the request has been refused because it does not meet the legal requirement.
“I write to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 24th April, 2024, in which you made a request, pursuant to section 18 of the Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989) (“RTI Act”), for a copy of the full KPMG Audit Report on the revenue assurance contract between the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML), as commissioned by the President of the Republic. 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,” the Chief Director explained.
According to him, “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. 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 Chief Director noted that the part of the report that is meant for public consumption has already been released by President Akufo-Addo.
“Understanding the public interest in the GRA-SML contract, the President has published the principal findings and recommendations of the KPMG report in a detailed press statement issued by the Office of the President on 24th April 2024. Thus, the public remains informed while respecting the statutory restrictions on specific disclosures,” Mr Wood wrote.
