IEAG Urges President Mahama to Terminate GRA-SML Contract, Labels It a Rip-Off as SML Still Receiving $1.4 Million a Month
The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana (IEAG) has made a fresh appeal to President John Mahama, calling for the immediate termination of the remaining contract between the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and Strategic Management Limited (SML), describing the deal as wasteful, duplicative, and a drain on public finances.
Speaking at a press conference in Accra on Wednesday, Executive Secretary of the IEAG, Mr. Samson Asaki Awingobit, expressed dismay over the continued payment of $1.4 million monthly to SML, despite a directive issued in April 2024 by then-President Akufo-Addo for the termination of SML’s upstream petroleum audit contract.
“SML continues to receive over 1.4 million US dollars every month under the downstream petroleum contract,” Mr. Awingobit revealed, insisting that such payments constitute “a rip-off and a duplication of services already being rendered by other state agencies.”
Mr. Awingobit referenced President Mahama’s earlier commitment, made while in opposition, to cancel the SML contract if elected. He urged the President to act swiftly to honour that promise, stating that doing so would restore public confidence and demonstrate a clear break from financial mismanagement.
He also questioned why the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) was reportedly paying for the same services already contracted by the GRA through SML.
“How can NPA be paying for the same services SML is rendering for the GRA? It’s a clear duplication of contracts and payments,” he fumed.
The IEAG is further demanding that government recovers all funds paid to SML for services it considers redundant or unverified, and urged the Ministry of Finance and the NPA to blacklist the company from future public sector engagements.
In a call for broader accountability, Mr. Awingobit appealed to the diplomatic community and civil society organisations to intervene and ensure that public interest is upheld.
“We are calling on diplomatic communities and all CSOs to intervene. Do not allow this contract to become a betrayal of your government,” he stressed.
President Mahama, during a speech marking his 120th day in office, hinted at ongoing investigations into the SML contracts. However, stakeholders, including the IEAG, are pushing for immediate executive action to halt further payments pending the outcome of any probe.
