SML deal: GRA must be dissolved and reconstituted – Sam George

Sam George, the Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, has called for the dissolution and reconstitution of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).

According to him, the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has failed to meet its mandate and should not be allowed to remain in its current form.

His remarks come after KPMG released its audit assurance report on the GRA-SML contract.

On Wednesday, May 22, President Akufo-Addo released the KPMG audit report on the controversial contract.

The announcement came after weeks of rising pressure from Ghanaians, particularly civil society organizations, who wanted accountability for many contract violations.

The audit found that SML owes the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) GH¢31.88 million in unpaid taxes for eight months of service provision.

This debt includes accumulated interest, anticipated at GH¢18.50 million by January 31, 2024. Notably, neither the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) nor Parliament approved any of these contracts.

Furthermore, the study revealed that the GRA had six service contracts with SML, despite the presidency’s earlier claim of only three.

This disparity contradicts strongly with information previously provided in a news release sent by the Presidency’s Communications Director, Eugene Arhin, on April 24.

The disclosures have prompted widespread public indignation, with many Ghanaians demanding that the agreement be immediately cancelled and those involved prosecuted.

Following this, Mr Sam George, the Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram has advocated for the Ghana Revenue Authority’s (GRA) dissolution and reconstitution.

“The Ghana Revenue Authority in my humble opinion is a crime scene and is the biggest single purveyor of corruption in our public service.

“I suggest the disillusionment and a reconstitution of the whole Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA). The Ghana Revenue Authority is supposed to be the watchdog in ensuring that nobody evades taxes and in this SML deal, the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) itself failed to retrieve tax,” Sam George said.