Suspend SML Contract, It Lacks Transparency - John Jinapor

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John Abdulai Jinapor, the Ranking member of Parliament's Mines and Energy Committee, has raised critical questions regarding the exclusion of the Minerals Commission from the contract awarded to Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML). 

This contract assignment, facilitated by an offshoot of a timber company, charged SML with overseeing revenue assurance services in the gold production sector on behalf of the government.

Related To This: GRA/SML Deal: Minerals Commission Denies Involvement in Awarding Contract to SML

Expressing his concern, Jinapor underscored the expertise and significance of the Minerals Commission in the realm of mineral resource oversight. He emphasized that excluding such a pivotal regulatory body from a contract falling within its jurisdiction raises fundamental concerns about transparency and integrity.

During an appearance on JoyFM's Newsnight, Jinapor articulated his apprehensions, describing the contract as shrouded in opacity and lacking transparency, failing to meet the minimum requirements for open, accountable dealings. He emphasized the multifaceted role of regulatory bodies, stressing that they are not merely technical overseers but are pivotal in ensuring revenue compliance and quality assurance within the sector. Thus, he questioned the rationale behind sidelining such a critical regulatory entity in what appears to be a non-transparent contract.

Jinapor's scrutiny follows statements from the Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission, Martin Kwaku Ayisi, indicating that the commission played no part in the award of the SML contract. These revelations emerged in response to a Right to Information (RTI) request, led by investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni, further shedding light on the secretive nature of the SML deal.

Related To This: John Jinapor Opposes $1Billion SML Contract, Says It's Detrimental to Ghana's Development

In light of the clandestine handling of the contract, Jinapor raised concerns over the surreptitious manner in which the contract transpired, creating an impression that it operated as a private venture rather than a state affair. He underscored the significance of transparency and accountability in such dealings, calling for openness and accessibility to official information related to the contract.


Asserting the need for parliamentary scrutiny, Jinapor stressed the importance of challenging the modus operandi adopted in awarding the contract, as well as verifying whether other companies were afforded the opportunity to tender for the contracts. This push for parliamentary involvement aligns with the broader call for thorough, comprehensive oversight to ensure the highest standards of integrity and due process.

Related To This: GRA’s Statement On SML Contract Questionable – John Jinapor

In emphasizing the need for stringent verification, Jinapor highlighted the comparative expertise claimed by SML, characterizing it as a company with a broad scope of specialization across multiple sectors. These attributes, as described by Jinapor, raise concerns about the nature and breadth of SML's reach, prompting pointed questions about its operational dynamics and the breadth of its influence.

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