The National Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Sammy Gyamfi, says the party will not recognise any contracts deemed illegal and signed by the Akufo-Addo administration, should they come to power.
Speaking at the NDC’s “Moment of Truth” series at the party’s headquarters in Accra On Monday, he specifically referenced the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA)’s contract with SML, a company that receives up to GH¢24 million monthly for downstream services.
He indicated that numerous corruption allegations surrounding this deal necessitate a thorough investigation adding that the next NDC government will launch credible and transparent investigations into the SML scandal.
This, to him, is to retrieve for the State all illegal payments made to SML and ensure the prosecution of all persons complicit in these illegal transactions.
This announcement comes on the heels of former President John Dramani Mahama’s statements condemning the SML deal with the GRA, as well as an investigation by “The Fourth Estate” into the contract’s legitimacy.
The deal, which covers monitoring Upstream Petroleum Production and auditing the value chain of Minerals and Metals Resources, has been under scrutiny.
Following this, President Nana Akufo-Addo directed the Finance Ministry and the GRA to suspend the SML contract and tasked KPMG with auditing its appropriateness.
KPMG’s audit led to the termination of SML’s services in the upstream petroleum and minerals sectors.
Mr. Gyamfi reiterated the NDC’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and value for money in all government procurements.
He said “…anyone who has participated in the plunder of the state will be held accountable. This is not a threat; it is a promise, premised on the wishes of our citizens across the various political and social divides, and hinged on the principle of accountability.”
He emphasised that this standard of accountability cannot and will not be any different for members of the ruling NPP responsible for the ‘sleazy SML deal and other corruption scandals.’
The communications director mentioned that while in opposition, the NPP emphasized sole sourcing being tantamount to corruption with breaches of the procurement law considered an abomination.
“Indeed, since 2017, the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia NPP government has prosecuted several persons for alleged procurement and other statutory breaches.
“Some of these people have been convicted and are languishing in jail today. In fact, the former Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Mrs. Charlotte Osei was removed from office on grounds of procurement breaches.
“This standard of accountability cannot and will not be any different for members of the ruling NPP who are responsible for the sleazy SML deal and other corruption scandals,” he continued.
Mr. Sammy Gyamfi further indicated that the NDC is not in principle, against revenue assurance but is vehemently against revenue assurance transactions awarded in contravention of the laws of Ghana and the payment of outrageous fees under such illegal transactions.
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Source: Anthony Sasu Ayisadu/ATLFMNEWS
