The Executive Director of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), Sulemana Braimah, has announced that his organization will be petitioning the Right to Information (RTI) Commission to take steps and ensure the Presidency releases the full audit report of the Agyapa Royalties Limited (SML) deal.
Speaking on PM Express on JoyNews, monitored by Elvisanokyenews.com. Braimah revealed that the MFWA has been unable to access the complete audit report, despite repeated requests to the Office of the President.
He expressed concern over the lack of transparency surrounding the high-profile transaction, stating that the public has a right to know the details of the deal.
“So what is it that the president would say, ‘well if I issue it out there, it will affect my deliberative processes or review an opinion?’ Those opinions have been communicated, unless the president has, or the report contains something that the president would want to hide from the public,” Mr Braimah said.
“That is why tomorrow, we’re actually submitting a petition to the RTI Commission, challenging the decision of the presidency on our request,” he added.
“If you read the section five that they referenced, it’s quite clear that we are talking about a report that has been submitted to the President, and he is yet to communicate about it or yet to make known whatever it is, then, of course, you would say, well, it’s still under consideration, the president is still deliberating on the matter.
“But we are talking about a report that has been submitted. The President has come out clearly to tell us what was contained in the report and his position on the report. And so, if you read section five, quite clearly, I think it’s a misinterpretation of the provisions of section five, basically, to, you know, do a denial,” Mr Braimah explained.
The SML deal, which aimed to monetize Ghana’s gold royalties, has been the subject of intense public scrutiny and debate. The government’s decision to withhold the full audit report has fueled concerns about the transparency and accountability of the transaction.
The MFWA’s petition to the RTI Commission is expected to put pressure on the Presidency to release the complete audit report, allowing the public to scrutinize the details and make informed decisions about the deal.