GRA dismisses reports of expanding SML mandate

The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has refuted claims by Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Ltd. (SML) that the company’s revenue assurance mandate has been expanded to cover Ghana’s upstream petroleum and solid minerals sectors.

This follows widespread media reports indicating that SML, while marking its fifth anniversary of operations in the downstream petroleum sector, announced an expansion into upstream petroleum and solid minerals oversight, citing its success in digitising fuel audits and reducing revenue leakages.

However, in a statement issued on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, the GRA described the reports as false and inaccurate.

GRA emphasized that it has not given any instruction for SML to resume operations under the 2023 Consolidation of Revenue Assurance Services Contract, which covers those sectors.

The Authority reaffirmed its commitment to upholding transparency and integrity in revenue collection, assuring stakeholders and the general public that it remains dedicated to protecting national revenue interests.

The statement noted, “reports published on 14th May 2025 in online news portals and print media, including Business and Financial Times and Graphic Online, claiming that Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Ltd. (SML) has unveiled an expansion of its revenue assurance oversight to cover Ghana’s upstream petroleum and solid minerals sectors. GRA wishes to clarify that the Authority’s suspension of SML’s services in the upstream petroleum and mineral sectors pending further review issued in April 2024, remains in force. “

“GRA has not instructed SML to activate nor resume operations under the 2023 Consolidation of Revenue Assurance Services Contract covering those sectors. The Authority wishes to assure stakeholders in the aforementioned sectors and the general public of its unwavering commitment to protect the nation’s revenue with integrity and transparency.”