President Nana Akufo-Addo has declined the Ghana Revenue Authority's (GRA) plea to permit the uninterrupted operation of the monitoring system employed by SML during the ongoing audit by KPMG.

The President has specified that the suspension should remain in effect until KPMG concludes its audit and submits the findings for review.

The Director of Communications at the Office of the President, Eugene Arhin, conveyed this decision in a press statement issued on Wednesday, January 24.

“The President has denied GRA’s request and has directed that the status quo, with respect to the suspension of the performance of the contract, should remain in effect until the completion of the audit and, subsequent, submission of the audit report by KPMG,” an excerpt of the release said.

Meanwhile, President Akufo-Addo has granted an extension to audit firm KPMG, allowing more time to complete its assessment of the controversial contract between the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Ltd (SML).

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Initially set for completion by Tuesday, January 16, 2024, the new deadline for KPMG's work is now Friday, February 23, 2024.

This extension follows a request from KPMG to the President, seeking additional time beyond the initial two-week period provided for the task.

“KPMG is to submit its final report no later than Friday, 23rd February 2024," the statement added.