Thursday, 30 October

OSP to prosecute former Finance Minister, 5 others over SML contract scandal

Politics
The six to be prosecuted by OSP

The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has announced plans to file criminal charges by the end of November 2025 against several high-ranking public officials implicated in the controversial Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA)–Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML) contracts.

Those expected to face prosecution include former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, former GRA Commissioner-Generals Dr. Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah and Emmanuel Kofi Nti, as well as senior officials Isaac Crentsil and Kwadwo Damoa.

Also named is Ernest Akore, a former technical advisor at the Ministry of Finance.

The move follows extensive investigations by the OSP into the multi-million-dollar revenue assurance deal, which allegedly revealed evidence of corruption, abuse of office, and procurement irregularities.

Speaking at a press conference in Accra on Thursday, October 30, Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng said the findings pointed to “clear criminal conduct” in the negotiation, approval, and execution of the contracts.

“There was no genuine need for contracting SML for the work it purported to perform,” Mr. Agyebeng stated.

“The agreements were blighted by statutory breaches.”

According to him, SML lacked both the infrastructure and professional capacity to deliver the services it was contracted for, yet received substantial payments under questionable circumstances.

The Special Prosecutor further revealed that the GRA failed to provide complete documentation of its agreements with SML and its third-party collaborators, describing this as a “glaring breach of transparency and accountability.”

Mr. Agyebeng confirmed that his office will soon file formal charges against those found culpable under Ghana’s anti-corruption and procurement laws.

“This matter goes to the very heart of public accountability,” he emphasised. “We will ensure that those who abused their offices are held fully responsible for their actions.”

 

The OSP’s forthcoming prosecutions are expected to mark one of the most high-profile corruption cases in recent years, reinforcing the government’s stated commitment to transparency and good governance.

Source: Classfmonline.com/Cecil Mensah