Former Auditor-General Daniel Yaw Domelevo has raised serious concerns about the selection of KPMG to audit the contract between the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Ltd (SML), calling it illegal and unprofessional behavior.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo tasked KPMG with auditing the contract between the two entities in January 2024.
However, Domelevo criticized this decision, stating that the commissioning of KPMG for the audit violated procurement regulations. He pointed out a potential conflict of interest since KPMG has ongoing contracts with both the GRA and the Ministry of Finance.
In response to the audit report, a press statement from the Presidency revealed that the total fees paid under the contracts amounted to GH¢1,061,054,778 from 2018 until the suspension date.
However, SML disputed this claim, leading to further scrutiny of the contract, its suspension, and the subsequent audit.
Domelevo emphasized that KPMG should not have accepted an illegal contract from the government, highlighting the lack of a competitive selection process for the audit. He stressed the importance of following the proper procurement procedures outlined in the law.
The former Auditor-General also questioned why the President did not utilize Article 187, Clause 8 of the 1992 Constitution, which allows the Auditor General to conduct specific audits in the national interest on the advice of the Council of State.
Overall, Domelevo’s criticisms point to a need for transparency and adherence to legal procedures in government contracts and audits to ensure accountability and prevent conflicts of interest.
