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The SML scandal “stinks to the heavens,” says award-winning investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni, as the controversy surrounding Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML) and former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta deepens.
His statement echoes the growing public outrage over what many perceive as a major case of high-level financial misconduct in Ghana.
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), led by Kissi Agyebeng, has officially named Ofori-Atta as a suspect in four major corruption-related cases.
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At a press briefing on Wednesday, February 12, Agyebeng announced that the former finance minister is now considered a wanted individual and must return to Ghana immediately for questioning.
Agyebeng warned that if Ofori-Atta fails to comply, legal measures will be taken to ensure his return. The OSP dismissed claims that the former minister had left the country for medical treatment, insisting that he must be held accountable.
Adding to the controversy, Agyebeng refuted reports suggesting that the OSP had raided Ofori-Atta’s residence, instead alleging that the former minister staged the event to mislead the public and cast doubt on the legitimacy of the investigation.
The OSP’s investigations focus on five critical areas of financial mismanagement and corruption:
- Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML) Contracts: Examining agreements between SML and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) concerning revenue assurance in the petroleum and mineral resources sectors.
- Termination of the ECG-BXC Contract: Investigating the abrupt cancellation of a contract between the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and Beijing Technology (BXC) for a distribution loss reduction and network improvement project.
- National Cathedral Project: Scrutinising procurement processes, contractor selections, material acquisitions, and financial transactions linked to the controversial construction of the National Cathedral.
- Ambulance Procurement for the Ministry of Health: Reviewing payments and activities tied to a contract initiated by the Ministry of Special Development Initiatives for the purchase and maintenance of 307 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter ambulances for the National Ambulance Service.
- Utilisation of the GRA Tax Refund Account: Assessing how funds from the Ghana Revenue Authority’s tax refund account were allocated and whether they were misused.
In a bold statement, the special prosecutor outlined Ofori-Atta’s attempts to evade justice:
“The fugitive’s name is Kenneth Nana Yaw Ofori-Atta. Mr. Ofori-Atta is 66 years old and served as Ghana’s Minister of Finance from 2017 to 2024. He left the jurisdiction on or around January 2, 2025. On January 24, 2025, the OSP officially communicated to Mr. Ofori-Atta that he was considered a suspect in four of the cases under investigation. He was instructed to appear in person on Monday, February 10, 2025, at 10:00 GMT for an interview. However, through his legal representatives, Mr. Ofori-Atta informed the OSP that he was out of the jurisdiction indefinitely on medical grounds.”
Manasseh Azure Awuni’s assertion that the SML scandal “stinks to the heavens” underscores the growing frustration among Ghanaians who feel betrayed by their leaders. With corruption allegations tainting key national projects, many are calling for urgent reforms to curb financial mismanagement and hold those responsible accountable.
The declaration of Ofori-Atta as a wanted man marks a crucial moment in Ghana’s anti-corruption efforts. Many believe that the outcome of this case will set a precedent for governance and transparency in the country. Should the former finance minister refuse to return voluntarily, extradition proceedings may be initiated to ensure he faces justice.
As investigations progress, the Ghanaian public remains vigilant, demanding decisive action and accountability in a scandal that continues to expose the depths of financial corruption at the highest levels of government.
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