€2.3 million financial loss suit: Ato Forson, 2 others granted bail

A Former Deputy Finance Minister and Member of Parliament for Ajumako Enyam Essiam, Cassiel Ato Forson, and two others have been granted bail by an Accra High Court.

When he appeared in Court today, the Member of Parliament pleaded not guilty to the charge of causing Financial loss to the state thus was granted a self-recognizance bail in the sum of  GH¢3 million.

Also, the other accused persons; Sylvester Anemana, former Chief Director at the Ministry of Health, and a Businessman, Richard Jakpa were granted bail to the tune of GH¢1 million and GH¢ 5 million with three sureties respectively.

 Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson and two others have been charged with causing financial loss to the state.

The two are Sylvester Anemana, former Chief Director at the Ministry of Health, and a Businessman, Richard Jakpa.

They have thus been charged on the counts of willfully causing financial loss to the Republic, abetment of crime, contravention of the public procurement act and intentionally misapplying public property.

According to the suit filed by the Attorney General, the charge relates to the procurement of 200 Ambulances during the Professor Atta Mills-led Administration.

According to the documents, after the announcement of the Procurement of 200 ambulances by the Government in the 2009 State of the Nation’s address, the 3rd accused person, Richard Jakpa per his company, Jakpa at Business, presented a proposal and a term loan which he claimed to have arranged from Stanbic Bank for the Procurement of the ambulances.

It continues that Cabinet on December 22, 2011, endorsed an Executive approval granted for a joint memorandum submitted by the Minister for Health and Deputy Minister for Finance and Economic Planning for the purchase of the ambulances out of a medium-term loan facility of €15. 8 Million to be paid out of a credit arrangement between Stanbic Bank and GOG through the Ministry of Finance.

Furthermore, it states that the memorandum to Parliament did not make reference to any role to be played by either Big Sea General Trading Limited (Big Sea), Dubai, UAE or the agents for Big Sea, Jakpa at Business Limited in the transaction nor did it also refer to the terms under which the ambulances would be procured or the terms under which the two companies would be involved in the transaction.

Also the 2nd accused person in a letter dated 19th November 2012, falsely indicated that the reason for the single-sourcing was because Big Sea had arranged for funding for the project.

By an agreement dated 19th December 2012, the Government of Ghana, formally contracted with Big Sea General Trading LLC in Dubai, for the supply of 200 Mercedes Benz ambulances at a contract sum of €15,800,000.00 and at a unit price of €79,000.

Additionally, 30 ambulances that had been shipped as of 12th February 2015 had fundamental defects. A further inspection by Silver Star Auto Limited at the request of the Ministry of Health disclosed that the vehicles were not originally built as ambulances and were therefore not fit to be converted for that purpose. A total amount of €2,370,000 was paid for the 30 vehicles.

The Minister of Health, Mr. Alex Segbefia requested an inspection of a well-equipped ambulance vehicle that meets specifications. After a visit to Dubai by a team led by the CEO of the National Ambulance Service, Big Sea promised to send a technical team to Ghana to rectify the defects. This has however not been done.

The Court meanwhile adjourned proceedings to February 15,2022 after directing the prosecution to file and serve accused persons with disclosures.