Tema: Operatives from the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) and National Security have allegedly raided the Osu and Tema offices of Strategic Mobilization Ghana Limited (SML) on Monday, June 9, 2025. The raids have reportedly intensified a conflict over revenue collection in the nation's petroleum sector.
According to Ghana News Agency, the management of SML claims that the raids are connected to SML's contract with the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA). There are allegations that powerful petroleum industry players and oil cartels are leading efforts to dismantle oversight systems that have cost them billions in previously unreported revenue. A statement issued by SML in Accra noted that the operatives dismantled critical monitoring systems and arrested three employees.
Dr. Yaa Serwaa Sarpong, Director of Support Services at SML, stated that the dismantling of the real-time monitoring system would significantly impact the operations of the Customs Division of the GRA, with potential losses expected daily. She emphasized the importance of monitoring to prevent oil cartels from exploiting the situation. Despite a supposed directive from Customs to protect the monitoring system, the operatives proceeded with the destruction, which was intended for Customs.
Dr. Sarpong highlighted that SML had been in active engagement with the OSP since March 2025, providing information as requested. SML's revenue assurance platform has transformed reporting in Ghana's downstream petroleum sector, increasing reported fuel volumes from 208 million litres to 450 million litres per month. From May 2020 to December 2024, SML's systems captured 14.1 billion litres of previously unreported fuel, generating over GHS20 billion in additional tax revenue for the state.
The improvements in revenue collection have coincided with opposition to SML's operations. In 2019, 2.36 billion litres of petroleum products went untaxed, resulting in estimated losses of GHS3.4 billion. The Ghana Revenue Authority has consistently met its revenue targets since 2020, largely due to SML's revenue assurance system.
Despite a comprehensive KPMG audit in 2024 finding no evidence of financial misconduct, opposition to SML has intensified. The Energy Committee in the previous parliament highlighted SML's disruption of illicit actors in the petroleum sector. The GRA has credited SML's systems with improving revenue assurance, but industry sources suggest these endorsements have only strengthened opposition from oil cartels.
The campaign against SML has been led by investigative journalist Manasseh Azure and civil society groups, focusing on procurement irregularities. SML has responded with a GHS21 million defamation lawsuit, arguing that attacks on its credibility serve those who profited from previous tax leakages.
Industry analysts suggest the recent raid is critical for Ghana's revenue assurance efforts. The outcome may determine whether systems that have recovered significant tax revenue will continue or be dismantled under pressure from those threatened by accountability measures. The petroleum sector is vital for Ghana's revenue, underscoring the importance of maintaining the integrity of its monitoring systems.
The OSP and National Security have not yet provided detailed justification for the raids beyond citing contractual concerns.
