ACEP Executive Director criticizes GRA’s appeal to President Akufo-Addo over SML-GRA contract
Ben Boakye, Executive Director of the Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP), has expressed deep concern over the Ghana Revenue Authority’s (GRA) recent appeal to President Akufo-Addo regarding the Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML-Ghana) system.
The system, designed to enhance revenue assurance, came under scrutiny after the President suspended the GRA/SML contract on January 2, 2024.
In response to the GRA’s letter appealing for the continued operation of the SML system, mR Boakye described it as “very troubling.” The Commissioner General of the GRA, Rev. Dr. Amishaddai Owusu-Amoah, in a letter to the President asserted that suspending the system would have operational ramifications and disruptions.
“Having carefully reviewed the concern and based on our own understanding of the contracts and the deliverable, we are of the opinion that the system that has been installed to enhance revenue assurance, for control purposes, and also to aid with the ongoing investigation could with your kindest permission be allowed to run,” portions of GRA’s letter said.
Mr Boakye, however, criticized the GRA’s failure to support its appeal with sufficient evidence to justify the potential consequences of suspending the SML system. He highlighted that when the suspension occurred, SML welcomed it and committed to await the completion of the investigation within two weeks.
During an appearance on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, Mr Boakye further emphasized his concerns, stating, “The Commissioner General waited for almost that time to elapse and then writes to the President to essentially tell the President that ‘Mr. President, you are the appointing authority, we would only comply even though you’re wrong, we’ll comply as you wish but allow us to continue to run the system’ essentially telling the President that he had wrong judgement on suspending the arrangement until investigations were over and I find that really, really troubling,” he posited.
He underscored the lack of transparency in government dealings, criticizing the GRA’s failure to counter the controversy surrounding the SML contract with concrete data and justifications. He urged the Commissioner General to challenge the existing data and engage in a meaningful conversation with the public to address concerns surrounding the contract.
The ongoing controversy raises questions about accountability and transparency in government dealings, with ACEP’s Executive Director advocating for a more open and data-driven approach in addressing critical issues affecting the nation.
