The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has summoned Anthony Sarpong, the Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA); Celestine Annan, the Assistant Commissioner in charge of Finance; and Kenneth Agyei-Duah, the Technical Assistant to the Commissioner-General. They are required to appear before investigators as part of ongoing inquiries into the controversial revenue assurance contract between GRA and Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited (SML).
This summons follows the arrest of Freeman Sarbah, the Acting Head of Legal Affairs at the GRA, on Monday, November 3, 2025. He was arrested for his alleged involvement in corruption and obstruction of justice related to the same contract. According to sources from the OSP, the three senior GRA officials were called in after it was reported that they instructed the Acting Head of Legal to issue a letter to SML’s lawyers at the company’s request in mid-October. Investigators believe this correspondence may have significant implications for the ongoing investigation.
Sources at the OSP further noted that this is the second time the Commissioner-General and the Assistant Commissioner for Finance have been invited. Their earlier statements reportedly contradict the contents of the letter they are alleged to have authored or approved. Both Mr. Sarpong and Mr. Agyei-Duah previously worked with KPMG, the auditing firm that reviewed SML Ghana’s operations under a directive by former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
In a statement posted on its official social media pages earlier on Monday, November 3, the OSP confirmed that Mr. Sarbah is under investigation for suspected corruption and corruption-related offences, as well as obstruction of justice in connection with the SML contract.
The GRA–SML deal, which engaged SML Ghana to provide revenue assurance services in Ghana’s downstream petroleum sector and other areas, has drawn intense public scrutiny amid allegations of inflated costs, procurement breaches, and questionable contractual terms.
Following widespread criticism and concerns about transparency, the OSP opened an investigation into the contract to determine whether there were conflicts of interest, abuse of office, or violations of procurement laws. The probe has since expanded to include several top officials at both the GRA and the Ministry of Finance.
The Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, has indicated that the office is preparing to prosecute several individuals implicated in the scandal by the end of November 2025. Those expected to face charges include former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, former GRA Commissioner-Generals Dr. Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah and Emmanuel Kofi Nti, along with other senior officials and advisors linked to the Finance Ministry.
Preliminary findings from the OSP’s investigation reportedly point to corruption, abuse of office, and serious procurement violations in the award and execution of the SML contracts, which were meant to enhance government revenue mobilisation. The OSP says its inquiry aims to ensure accountability and safeguard public resources, warning that any individuals found culpable will be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
Source: William Narh
