The Office of the President has rebuffed a request to disclose the complete audit report conducted by KPMG on the revenue assurance contract between the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and Strategic Mobilization Ghana Limited (SML).
Citing provisions within the Right to Information (RTI) Act, the Presidency asserted its prerogative to withhold information it deems pivotal, invoking sections 5(1)(a) and (b)(i) of the Act. These sections empower the office to reject requests for information deemed sensitive or integral to the highest offices of the land.
Expressing regret over its decision, the Presidency outlined its stance in a letter addressed to the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) dated May 7, signed by the Chief Director to the Chief of Staff, H. M. Wood. The letter underscored the confidential nature of the KPMG report and emphasized the importance of safeguarding the integrity of the President’s deliberative process.
The letter stated, “The full KPMG Audit Report comprises opinions, advice, deliberations, and recommendations that are integral to the President’s deliberative process and, therefore, qualifies as exempt information under section 5 (1) (a) and (b) (i).”
The MFWA had sought the full KPMG report under the provisions of the RTI Act, seeking transparency and accountability in the handling of public contracts. KPMG, an esteemed auditing firm, had conducted the audit and presented its findings to President Akufo-Addo, following a directive issued on January 2, 2024. Originally slated for completion by January 16, 2024, the audit deadline was extended to February 23, 2024.
This decision by the Presidency has ignited debate regarding the balance between transparency and governmental discretion, raising questions about accountability and the public’s right to access information on matters of public interest. As stakeholders await further developments, the controversy surrounding the GRA-SML contract audit continues to captivate attention and fuel discussions on governance and accountability in Ghana.
