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The National Democratic Congress (NDC) National Communications Officer claims that if Akufo-Addo is ousts from power, his party would not recognize any unlawful contracts that they sign.
This is because of the many accusations of corruption against these contracts, particularly the agreement between the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and SML, which guarantees the corporation payments from the government of up to GH¢24 million each month, according to Sammy Gyamfi.
Speaking at the NDC’s Moment of Truth series, which was hosted at the party’s Accra headquarters, he emphasized that the NDC would retrieve for the government any unlawful payments made to SML.
“The NDC wishes to reiterate the pledge by our flag-bearer and leader, John Mahama, that the next NDC government will not recognize the illegal contracts between the Government of Ghana and SML, upon assumption of office in the year 2025.”
“When elected into office, we shall launch credible and transparent investigations into this stinking SML scandal, to retrieve for the State, all illegal payments made to SML and ensure the prosecution of all persons who are complicit in these illegal transactions,” he said.
Mr. Gyamfi’s statement is in line with previous ones made by former President John Dramani Mahama in response to claims of wrongdoing surrounding the SML agreement with the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).
After “The Fourth Estate” conducted an inquiry, the contract—which included inspecting the value chain of minerals and metals resources and monitoring upstream petroleum production—came under suspicion.
On January 2, 2024, President Nana Akufo-Addo then ordered the Finance Ministry and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to halt the contentious revenue assurances contract with SML and assigned KPMG to carry out an audit to determine the deal’s suitability.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo ordered last week to revoke SML’s upstream petroleum audit and minerals audit services in reaction to the KPMG audit.
However, in response, Mr. Gyamfi declared that the NDC will begin looking into the deal as well.
“While in opposition, sole-sourcing was tantamount to corruption, according to the NPP. Breaches of the procurement law was considered an abomination. Indeed, since 2017, the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia NPP government has prosecuted several persons for alleged procurement and other statutory breaches.
“Some of these people have been convicted and are languishing in jail today. In fact, the former Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Mrs. Charlotte Osei was removed from office on grounds of procurement breaches.
“This standard of accountability cannot and will not be any different for members of the ruling NPP who are responsible for the sleazy SML deal and other corruption scandals,” Mr Gyamfi added.
Source: Ghanatodayonline.com
