Terminate SML downstream petroleum contract – Importers and Exporters demands

The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana has made a strong request. They want President John Dramani Mahama to end a costly contract. This contract is between the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML). It costs the state over $1.4 million each month.

The association noted that a presidential directive in 2024 suspended SML’s upstream petroleum deal. However, the downstream contract is still active despite this suspension. They argue that SML is being paid for work already done by the National Petroleum Authority (NPA). This situation is unnecessary and financially reckless, especially during tough economic times.

During a press conference in Accra on June 4, 2025, Executive Secretary Samson Asaki Awingobit spoke out. He said the contract undermines good governance. He called for full public disclosure of all payments made to SML since 2018. He also urged for prosecution of officials involved in this matter.

Awingobit outlined five demands from the association to President Mahama and his government:

1. Terminate the SML downstream petroleum contract immediately.
2. Publicly release the KPMG audit report and all payments to SML since 2018.
3. Recover all funds paid for services that are redundant or unverified.
4. Blacklist SML and investigate current and former officials involved.
5. Implement reforms to prevent sole-sourced contracts in public revenue assurance.

He emphasized that these demands are not radical but essential for good governance in Ghana.