President John Dramani Mahama has ordered the immediate termination of all contracts with Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML) following the conclusion of a damning investigation by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).
According to reports seen by Voice of Buluk, the directive marks a decisive end to one of Ghana’s most controversial government contracts in recent years. The order, issued through a letter signed by Dr. Callistus Mahama, Executive Secretary to the President, instructed the Minister of Finance to act “forthwith.”
“Following the conclusion of the investigation conducted by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) into the contracts awarded to Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML), I have been directed by His Excellency, the President of the Republic, to request that you take immediate steps to terminate all existing SML-related contracts forthwith,” the letter stated.
Background to the SML Controversy
The SML contracts, initially signed with the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the Ministry of Finance, were designed to provide revenue assurance services. They began in the downstream petroleum sector and were later expanded to include the upstream petroleum and mining value chains.
However, the deal quickly drew public backlash following investigative reports that alleged inflated revenue claims, questionable expertise, and irregular procurement procedures. Critics also condemned the single-sourced nature of the agreement, with some reports estimating the contract’s potential value at over $100 million annually.
OSP Findings and Recommendations
The Office of the Special Prosecutor’s report delivered a scathing assessment of the entire arrangement, describing the GRA–SML contract as a “masterful and mischievously crafted scheme.”
The OSP concluded that there was “no genuine need” for the services SML claimed to provide, asserting that existing GRA systems were capable of performing the same functions.
Further revelations from the OSP investigation showed that over GH¢1.4 billion had already been paid to SML without proper monitoring or evaluation. The report also implicated former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, citing his alleged role in approving and facilitating the controversial deal.
Implications of the Termination
President Mahama’s directive signals a strong stance on accountability and public financial management, especially in the wake of mounting public pressure for transparency in government contracting.
Analysts say the move could restore some public confidence in the government’s commitment to fighting corruption and ensuring value for money in public procurement.
What’s Next?
The Ministry of Finance is expected to initiate formal termination procedures immediately. It remains unclear whether the government will seek a refund of payments already made or pursue legal action against individuals implicated in the OSP’s report.
Observers are also calling on the OSP to ensure prosecutions follow, warning that mere termination without accountability could embolden future abuses.
