The Chairman of the Government Assurances Committee of Parliament, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has called for full accountability and prosecution of individuals involved in the controversial ambulance procurement deal. Ablakwa contends that the procurement process was inflated, with the country paying $54.3 million for 307 ambulances, despite an initial estimate of $25 million.
“The procurement of the 307 ambulances cost this country $54.3 million. The Auditor General has revealed if you go through the 2022 performance audit that that procurement itself is problematic. When you do the analysis, it was an inflated procurement because page 24 of the audit reveals that the unit price of the ambulance is $80,000 and yet we paid $54.3 million.”
Ablakwa emphasized the discrepancy in the payment, stating that the correct total should not have exceeded $25 million referencing the auditor generals report
“$80,000 multiplied by 307, we should not have paid more than $25 million for this ambulance. And yet Ghana was made to pay a colossal, whopping $54.3 million as discovered on page two of the Auditor General’s report.”
While addressing the press Ablakwa revealed that the company, Service Ghana Auto Group Limited, had received additional payments totaling 115 million Ghana cedis between 2020 and 2023.
“Then you need to also consider the fact that between 2020 and 2023, this company, Service Ghana Auto Group Limited, has been paid 115 million Ghana cedis in addition to the $54.3 million then the latest scandal, the intercepted letters of the Hon.
” Ken Ofori Atta on the 9th February 2024, a few days before he left office on the 14 February, he instructed that this $34.9 million should be approved and that his ministry would take care of $10 million and the National Health Insurance Authority should take care of the outstanding $24.9 million.”
He also highlighted the close relationship between the company’s director, Stephen Okoro, and President Akufo-Addo.
“A key director of Service, Ghana Auto Group Limited, is named, Stephen Okoro. We have discovered through our parliamentary oversight, diligent parliamentary oversight, that Stephen Okoro is not just any Ghanaian or Nigerian for that matter. He is an in-law to President Akufo-Addo. Stephen Okoro has given President Akufo-Addo a grandchild.”
Ablakwa emphasized the significance of this relationship, citing concerns about corruption and abuse of power.
“This is a fact. And now in the corruption literature, politically exposed persons come under greater scrutiny. That is why when we were formulating the Office of Special Prosecutor Act, we included politically exposed persons.”
“The other thing that makes Stephen Okoro so politically exposed is that we have discovered that he is a longstanding business partner of the Akufo-Addo daughters.” He added
