Minority Leader Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson contends that President Akufo-Addo’s move to audit the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML) contract is an attempt to gloss over the situation.
He describes the directive as belated and insufficient, suggesting it may be a strategic move to dissuade Parliament from fully exercising its oversight responsibility regarding the contentious contract.
In a Facebook post on Tuesday, January 2, the Ajumako Enyan Essiam lawmaker underscores the vigilance of NDC MPs, expressing their determination not to be misled. Drawing on his experience as a former Finance Minister, Dr. Ato Forson assures Ghanaians of the NDC MPs’ commitment to a thorough investigation of the scandal and holding those found responsible accountable.
“The President, who should have led this fight in the wake of this scandal, is playing catch-up since Parliament has also directed GRA to suspend all payments to SML.”
“This attempt by the President to whitewash in the name of an audit will not dissuade Parliament from scrutinizing this matter to prevent the misappropriation of state resources into the private pockets of government officials and their crony business partners,” Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson’s comments come in response to President Akufo-Addo’s directive for an audit into the GRA-SML contract.
KPMG has been appointed to conduct the audit, with a planned duration of two weeks. The press statement from the Presidency, delivered by Communications Director Eugene Arhin, outlines President Akufo-Addo’s specific terms of reference for the forthcoming KPMG audit. Nonetheless, Dr. Ato Forson’s remarks underscore the ongoing concerns and the imperative for a thorough examination of the GRA-SML contract.