In response to the Media Foundation for West Africa’s (MFWA) request, the Office of the President has decided not to make public the complete KPMG report regarding the revenue assurance agreement between Strategic Mobilization Limited (SML) and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).

Through the Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989) (“RTI Act”), the MFWA requested a copy of the comprehensive KPMG Audit Report on the GRA-SML revenue assurance contract on April 24, 2024. The request was made in response to a request made by the President.

Nonetheless, the administration declared in a statement made public on Wednesday that “I regret to notify you that your request has been denied after thorough review and in compliance with section 5 (1) (a) and (b) (i) of the RTI Act. According to Sections 5 (1) (a) and (b) (i), information prepared for or submitted to the President or Vice President that contains opinions, advice, deliberations, recommendations, minutes, or consultations is not allowed to be disclosed. Doing so would jeopardize the integrity of the deliberative process by disclosing the factors, influences, and processes of decision-making that are reserved for the highest offices in the land.

According to section 5 (1) (a) and (b) (i), the full KPMG Audit Report is exempt information because it includes opinions, advice, deliberations, and recommendations that are critical to the President’s deliberative process.

“Understanding 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 by the Office of the President on 24th April 2024. Thus, the public remains informed while respecting the statutory restrictions on specific disclosures,” it added.