The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana has called on President John Dramani Mahama to immediately terminate what it describes as a wasteful and redundant contract between the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML), which is reportedly draining over $1.4 million monthly from the public purse.

Speaking at a press conference in Accra on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, the Association’s Executive Secretary, Samson Asaki Awingobit, criticized the continued existence of the downstream petroleum monitoring contract with SML. This comes despite a 2024 presidential directive suspending the company’s upstream petroleum contract and a subsequent KPMG audit into its operations.

According to the Association, the services provided by SML under the downstream contract are already being effectively handled by the National Petroleum Authority (NPA). They argue that the duplication of roles is not only unnecessary but financially irresponsible, especially at a time when the country is facing significant economic challenges.

Mr. Awingobit emphasized that the contract undermines principles of transparency and accountability, and called for full public disclosure and accountability regarding the matter.

“The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana is making five clear demands to President Mahama and the government,” he stated.


  1. Immediate termination of the downstream petroleum contract with SML.

  2. Full disclosure of all payments made to SML since 2018, in addition to the already published KPMG audit report.

  3. Recovery of all funds paid for services considered redundant, unverified, or unsupported by data.

  4. Blacklisting of SML and investigations into all current and former officials involved in the contract.

  5. Legislative reforms to prohibit sole-sourced contracts in public revenue assurance, requiring mandatory parliamentary oversight.

“These are not radical demands,” Mr. Awingobit concluded. “They are the bare minimum for any country that claims to uphold good governance and responsible financial stewardship.”