The Executive Director of the Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP), Ben Boakye, has criticized the auditing firm KPMG for failing to declare a conflict of interest.
KPMG was appointed by the President to investigate the contract between the Ghana Revenue Authority and Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML-Ghana). The investigation uncovered that SML had been awarded contracts worth over $100 million annually.
Furthermore, it was revealed that SML was not performing the services it claimed to provide, resulting in them deleting those claims from their website.
Ben Boakye expressed disappointment that KPMG did not publicly acknowledge their conflict of interest, potentially undermining the public’s confidence in their report to the President.
Boakye highlighted the need for KPMG to address the conflict of interest and assure the public of their impartiality in conducting the audit.
He, however, noted that KPMG should be given the benefit of the doubt as they carry out their investigation.
President Akufo-Addo’s directive for the audit followed The Fourth Estate’s investigation into the GRA-SML contract, which revealed significant discrepancies.
The President instructed the Ministry of Finance and GRA to suspend the contract until the audit report is submitted.
KPMG has a responsibility to address the conflict of interest and ensure a fair and impartial audit as their credibility is at stake.
Finally, President Akufo-Addo’s decision to order the audit of the GRA-SML contract underscores the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
