Eight individuals linked to the controversial SML‑GRA contract are set to appear in court following investigations by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP). The case has drawn significant attention due to the high-profile nature of the accused.
Among those charged are former Finance Minister Ken Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta, ex‑GRA Commissioner-Generals Emmanuel Kofi Nti and Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah, and Evans Adusei, CEO of SML. Other accused include Isaac Crentsil, Philip Mensah, Christian Tetteh Sottie, and two staff members from the Public Procurement Authority, Joseph Kuruk and Faustina Adjorkor.
The OSP has filed a total of 78 counts against the suspects. Allegations include:
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Wilfully causing financial loss to the state
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Misuse of public office for personal gain
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Illegally influencing procurement processes
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Entering financial obligations without parliamentary approval
Prosecutors claim that the contracts awarded to SML lacked proper justification and that some services, particularly audits in the petroleum and mineral sectors, were either incomplete or poorly executed. These actions allegedly resulted in a loss exceeding GH¢1.4 billion to the state.
The OSP is also scrutinizing the procurement process, questioning how SML secured significant contracts despite prior rejections and limited capacity. The case is considered a critical test for Ghana’s anti-corruption efforts, highlighting the importance of transparency and accountability in public procurement.
The upcoming court proceedings will determine the legal fate of these high-profile figures and could set an important precedent in combating corruption in Ghana’s public sector.
Source: Thepressradio.com
