SML deal is just a modified form of Agyapa deal – Bright Simons

Vice President for IMANI Africa, Bright Simons has questioned the logic behind government’s decision to go into contract with Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Ltd (SML).

Speaking on Joy News, Mr. Simons indicated that the deal signed by the Ministry of Finance and Ghana Revenue Authority (NDC) with SML is no different from the rejected Agyapa deal.

According to him, the SML deal is simply the Agyapa deal dressed in a "suit and tie."

“We are completely certain that when you try to expand this SML service to cover the minerals and petroleum it was simply Agyapa [deal] in suit and tie,” Bright Simons said.

The Vice President of IMANI Africa further explained, “When Agyapa failed, somebody suggested that if we cannot get the percentage of the royalties that we wanted from every ounce of gold sold in Ghana, then we will do even more, we will add the oil as well and we will create a mechanism to get a certain percentage out of that. And for every barrel of oil produced, you will then be entitled to a percentage. what logic is that?” he quizzed.

There has been a lot of controversy around the SML contract since a Fourth Estate documentary alleged that the company is being paid millions by the state for no job done.

President Akufo-Addo in January directed KPMG to audit SML.

After receiving the audit report, the Presidency in a press statement said it was discovered that SML had received a total of GHS1,061,054,778 since 2018 while fulfilling its obligations partially.

As part of the recommendations, President Akufo-Addo has instructed the Ghana Revenue Authority and the Ministry of Finance to renegotiate the revenue assurance contract with Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML).

The President emphasised that the renegotiation should be closely monitored and evaluated periodically to ensure it meets expectations.