GRA Dismisses Claims of SML Mandate Expansion into Upstream Petroleum and Solid Minerals Sectors
The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has denied claims that Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Ltd. (SML), a private firm contracted to monitor revenue flows, has been authorised to extend its operations to the upstream petroleum and solid minerals sectors.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the GRA said recent reports suggesting an expansion of SML’s mandate were inaccurate and did not reflect the Authority’s current contractual position with the company. The reports, published by several local media outlets, including Graphic Online and Business and Financial Times, indicated that SML had launched an extended oversight role in the extractive industries.
“The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has noted with concern reports… claiming that Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Ltd. (SML) has unveiled an expansion of its revenue assurance oversight to cover Ghana’s upstream petroleum and solid minerals sectors,” the GRA stated.
The regulator clarified that a suspension of SML’s activities in the upstream petroleum and mining sectors—initiated in April 2024—remains in effect pending a full review. It added that no instruction had been issued to the company to resume operations under the 2023 Consolidation of Revenue Assurance Services Contract.
“GRA wishes to clarify that the Authority’s suspension of SML’s services in the upstream petroleum and mineral sectors… remains in force,” the statement noted. “GRA has not instructed SML to activate nor resume operations under the 2023 Consolidation of Revenue Assurance Services Contract covering those sectors.”
The suspension followed growing scrutiny over the transparency and scope of third-party involvement in Ghana’s resource revenue monitoring systems. SML’s role in revenue assurance has been the subject of political and public debate, particularly regarding the terms and governance of its contract with the state.
The GRA reaffirmed its commitment to oversight integrity, saying it remains focused on building robust and transparent systems for revenue mobilisation.
“The Authority wishes to assure stakeholders… of its unwavering commitment to protect the nation’s revenue with integrity and transparency,” it added.
