In an official statement released on the 24th of January 2024, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has granted an extension to KPMG for the completion of the audit concerning the transaction between the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Ltd (SML).
The extension moves the deadline from the initial date of Tuesday, 16th January 2024, to a new date of Friday, 23rd February 2024.
This decision comes in response to a formal request made by KPMG to the President, seeking additional time beyond the initially allocated two-week period. According to the President, KPMG is expected to submit its final report by the extended deadline of Friday, 23rd February 2024.
Simultaneously, the President acknowledged a separate request from the GRA. The GRA had sought permission to allow the monitoring system installed and utilized by Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Ltd to continue its operations despite the suspension of its GRA-related activities.
Contrary to the GRA's request, President Akufo-Addo has denied permission for the continuation of SML's monitoring system. The President has directed that the suspension of the contract's performance should persist until the audit is completed and KPMG submits its final report.
The statement, signed by Eugene Arhin, the Director of Communications at the Office of the President, affirms the President's commitment to a thorough audit process, emphasizing the importance of waiting for the audit results before any further decisions are made regarding the GRA and SML transaction.