Introduction

In a heated development in Ghana’s ongoing SML controversy, renowned investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni has directly challenged Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML) to pursue criminal redress through the courts rather than relying on press conferences. During a November 7, 2025, interview on JoyNews, Awuni dismissed SML’s counterclaims against the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) investigation as “blackmail.” This standoff stems from the suspension of SML’s lucrative revenue assurance contracts with the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), valued at over $100 million, amid concerns over transparency and value for money.

The SML GRA deal has captivated public attention since Awuni’s initial exposé brought its opaque multi-year agreements into sharp focus. With monthly payments reportedly reaching $1.5 million from downstream petroleum sectors alone, the controversy highlights critical issues in public procurement and revenue mobilization in Ghana. This article breaks down the timeline, key statements, and broader implications for revenue assurance services in Ghana.

Analysis

The Manasseh dares SML to court moment underscores deepening tensions between media scrutiny, government oversight, and private sector interests in Ghana’s fiscal management. Let’s dissect the core elements of this saga.

Background on SML Contracts with GRA

Strategic Mobilisation Limited secured contracts with the GRA in 2020, later revised in 2023, to provide revenue assurance services across three sectors: upstream petroleum, downstream petroleum, and mineral exports. These deals aimed to enhance revenue collection through business model assurance, with annual payouts estimated at $18 million from downstream operations alone. Public outcry grew over the contracts’ lack of transparency, absence of competitive bidding, and substantial financial commitments exceeding $100 million over their tenure.

Manasseh Azure Awuni’s Exposé and Public Scrutiny

Awuni’s groundbreaking reporting first exposed the SML controversy, igniting nationwide debate. His work prompted two pivotal government responses: a late 2024 presidential directive suspending all SML contracts and commissioning an independent audit, and a parallel OSP inquiry into procurement irregularities, potential corruption, and the contracts’ true impact on revenue generation.

OSP Investigation Findings

The OSP probe raised red flags on the contract award process, questioning the pricing structure and SML’s verifiable contributions to GRA revenue. These findings directly contradicted SML’s claims of efficacy, leading the company to hold a press conference refuting the report and threatening legal action against the state.

Awuni’s Sharp Rebuttal

Awuni’s response was unequivocal: “If you have solid proof to demand any payment, they should go to court. This press conference looks like blackmail.” He further argued that any owed funds should flow back to the state, stating, “If there is money to be taken, we need to take it from SML.” Awuni also alluded to undisclosed insights, cautioning Attorney General Dominic Ayine to prioritize national interests.

Summary

The essence of this confrontation boils down to accountability in Ghana’s revenue assurance contracts. SML’s contracts with GRA, suspended following Awuni’s exposé and official probes, now face a litmus test: will the company litigate or concede? Awuni’s dare shifts the narrative from rhetoric to judicial reckoning, potentially reshaping how Ghana procures private sector support for tax and revenue mobilization. The OSP’s scrutiny of procurement flaws and value-for-money issues remains central, with SML’s press conference positioned as a defensive maneuver rather than substantive defense.

Key Points

Practical Advice

For governments and businesses navigating revenue assurance services in Ghana or similar frameworks, this case offers actionable lessons in transparent procurement.

Enhance Procurement Transparency

Adopt competitive tendering for high-value contracts exceeding $10 million. Document all revisions clearly, as seen in SML’s 2023 updates, to preempt opacity claims.

Leverage Independent Audits Early

Institute routine third-party audits for revenue assurance deals. Ghana’s presidential audit model demonstrates how proactive reviews can safeguard public funds.

Engage Media and Public Scrutiny Positively

Companies like SML should prepare data-backed responses to exposés, favoring court over press conferences to build credibility.

Monitor Revenue Impact Metrics

Define verifiable KPIs upfront, such as percentage increases in GRA collections attributable to services, to validate contracts empirically.

Points of Caution

• Avoid public threats without legal backing, as they risk perceptions of blackmail, damaging reputations in the SML GRA deal.
• Governments must rigorously vet private partners to prevent procurement flaws highlighted by the OSP.
• Journalists and watchdogs should base challenges on verifiable evidence to withstand counter-scrutiny.
• Stakeholders beware political influences; Awuni’s nod to the Attorney General signals potential biases in resolution.
• Contract revisions, like SML’s 2023 changes, warrant fresh approvals to avoid retrospective disputes.

Comparison

The SML controversy mirrors past Ghanaian scandals, offering comparative insights.

Vs. Other Revenue Scandals

Similar to the 2010s STX Housing scandal, where opaque deals led to suspensions, SML highlights recurring procurement lapses. Unlike the resolved Australian Visa scandal, SML persists due to ongoing OSP probes.

Private Sector Revenue Assurance Globally

In Nigeria, similar deals with firms like Alpha Beta faced corruption probes, resulting in terminations. Kenya’s iTax system integrations succeeded via transparent RFPs, contrasting SML’s model and underscoring bidding’s value.

Media Role Across Cases

Awuni’s role echoes Nigeria’s Premium Times exposés, where journalism catalyzed reforms, emphasizing media’s pedestal in fiscal accountability.

Legal Implications

The Manasseh dares SML challenge carries tangible legal weight under Ghanaian law. SML’s threats invoke potential breaches of contract claims via the High Court, per the Contracts Act 1960 (Act 25). However, OSP findings could trigger recovery actions under the Public Procurement Act 2003 (Act 663), allowing fund clawbacks for irregularities.

Corruption and Criminal Redress

OSP’s focus on corruption-related offenses aligns with the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act 2017 (Act 959), enabling criminal charges if procurement violated Section 35 (abuse of office). SML must substantiate claims in court to avoid defamation counters.

State Recovery Mechanisms

Awuni’s call to “take it from SML” invokes civil recovery under the Asset Forfeiture laws, precedent in cases like the Airbus scandal where illicit payments were reclaimed.

Outcomes could set precedents for auditing private revenue assurance contracts, mandating judicial oversight for disputes exceeding GHS 50 million.

Conclusion

Manasseh Azure Awuni’s daring call for SML to pursue court action reframes the Ghana Revenue Authority contracts debate from media battles to legal accountability. As the ball lands in SML’s court, this saga promises to influence future revenue assurance in Ghana, prioritizing transparency, audits, and verifiable value. The OSP investigation’s rigor, bolstered by presidential intervention, exemplifies robust governance. Stakeholders must heed these lessons to fortify public trust in revenue mobilization, ensuring taxpayer funds yield tangible national benefits.

FAQ

Sources

• Life Pulse Daily: “‘Go to court docket’: Manasseh dares SML to hunt criminal redress, slams counterclaims as ‘blackmail'” (November 8, 2025).
• JoyNews Interview with Manasseh Azure Awuni (November 7, 2025): YouTube Embed.
• Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) Report on SML Contracts.
• Presidential Directive on SML Suspension (Late 2024).
• Ghana Public Procurement Act 2003 (Act 663); OSP Act 2017 (Act 959).

Disclaimer: Views expressed do not represent any media outlet’s policy.