KPMG report on GRA-SML deal: 'God doesn't cure foolishness' - Charles Owusu jabs critics

Charles Owusu has fired salvoes at critics of the GRA-SML transaction audited by KPMG under the instruction of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

President Nana Akufo-Addo, on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, released the KPMG audit report on the transaction between the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Ltd (SML).

It could be recalled that The Fourth Estate publication alleged some rot in the transaction and has been calling for the cancellation of the deal.

As a result, the President directed KPMG to audit the deal and the firm.

After the audit, they delivered their findings to the President who released some parts of it to the public.

But he (Nana Akufo-Addo) came under intense criticisms for keeping the full report and in response to the criticisms, the President has made the full report accessible to the general public.

However, an investigative journalist, Manasseh Azure, who is a founding editor of The Fourth Estate, insists the contract must be cancelled.

Speaking on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" show, Charles Owusu found it ridiculous that the critics would call for cancellation of the SML contract.

He noted that the critics' argument is mainly that the owner of Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Ltd lacked the requisite knowledge to engage in revenue generation in the petroleum downstream sector, therefore shouldn't have been given the green light to operate.

In response, Charles Owusu questions the logic in this assertion which stems from the fact that the SML founder primarily worked in the timber sector, hence that disqualifies him from setting up a company to monitor the oil sector.

Charles Owusu likened these assertions to foolishness saying "at first people were saying the company is a timber offshoot, this is why I say God can heal all diseases but not foolishness...

"Any person who will say if you have a business and lack the technical know-how in a different business, so you can't open such a business has a low IQ and that person's foolishness cannot be cured by God".

The former Head of Monitoring Unit at the Forestry Commission further wondered how one could demonize SML's work when the company has saved Ghana over GH¢2.45 billion in revenues since they were contracted to check the country's oil.

Assessing the KMPG report, Mr. Owusu lauded SML stating they have been vindicated by the findings of KMPG.

"It is clear today; SML has not committed a crime in the first place. SML hasn't made the government lose revenue but the good thing is SML has helped for people to pay for the oil that was initially being stolen. SML has helped in ensuring 24/7 monitoring system" for the oil sector, he told host Kwami Sefa Kayi.