Accra, Ghana — The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has described the controversial contract between the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and Strategic Mobilization Limited (SML) as a “masterful and mischievously crafted scheme” masterminded by former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta.
According to the Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, investigations revealed that the deal was strategically designed and executed under Mr. Ofori-Atta’s supervision to benefit a select few individuals, while inflicting substantial financial losses on the state.
Mr. Agyebeng said the arrangement was “immediately set in motion” after Mr. Ofori-Atta assumed office in January 2017, and continued throughout his tenure at the Finance Ministry.
The OSP’s findings concluded that there was no legitimate justification for engaging SML in revenue assurance operations. The report described the contract as being “secured through self-serving official sponsorship and promotion based on false and unverified claims.”
The Special Prosecutor further disclosed that SML had received over GH₵1.4 billion in payments, despite lacking the technical expertise and experience to perform the services it purported to deliver.
He added that the entire arrangement violated public procurement regulations and represented a “reckless use of public office for profit.”
The OSP report has reignited public debate and criticism of the GRA–SML deal, which many have described as one of the most questionable and wasteful government contracts in recent years. The findings underscore growing concerns over corruption, political interference, and abuse of authority in the management of Ghana’s public finances.
The OSP said it will continue to monitor related transactions and individuals involved in the matter to ensure accountability and recovery of state funds where applicable.