Why the Presidency refused to release full KPMG report on GRA-SML contract

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The Office of the President has declined a request from the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) to make public the full KPMG report concerning the revenue assurance contract between the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML).

In a statement released on Wednesday, the presidency cited specific sections of the Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989) as the basis for refusing the request.

The MFWA had invoked section 18 of the RTI Act to request a copy of the comprehensive KPMG Audit Report commissioned by the President on the GRA-SML revenue assurance contract.

The statement explained that according to section 5 (1) (a) and (b) (i) of the RTI Act, information prepared for or submitted to the President, containing opinions, advice, deliberations, recommendations, minutes, or consultations, is exempt from disclosure.

It said this exemption is to protect the integrity of the deliberative process and ensure the confidentiality of discussions and considerations at the highest levels of government.

The presidency further elaborated that the complete KPMG Audit Report includes opinions, advice, deliberations, and recommendations that are integral to the President’s decision-making process. Hence, it qualifies as exempt information under the RTI Act.

However, the statement said because of the public interest in the GRA-SML contract, the President has published the principal findings and recommendations of the KPMG report in a detailed press statement issued on April 24, 2024. This was to ensure that the public remains informed about the matter while adhering to statutory restrictions on specific disclosures.

Read the entire statement below;