Ato Forson Case: Health Minister absent in court

The Minister of Health, Kwaku Agyemang Manu was unable to make it to the High Court today to testify for the prosecution as 3rd witness in the case against former Deputy Finance Minister, Cassiel Ato Forson, and 2 others.

At the last sitting, a witness for the state, Edward Markwwi Jnr noted under cross-examination that before any payment could be made, the letter from the Ministry of Finance requesting the Bank of Ghana to establish letters of credit needed in addition, certification from the Ministry and documents from the supplier before letters of credit is established.

And for the establishment of the letters of credit, the witness added that the Proforma invoice was the most important document required before the letters of credit could be established.

Therefore, Mr. Markwei, Head of the Trade Finance Unit of the Bank of Ghana emphasized that without the Proforma invoice, letters of credit cannot be established.

After Mr. Markwei’s testimony, the Minister of Health, Kwaku Agyemang Manu was expected in the Financial Court 3 presided over by Justice Afia Serwaa Asare Botchwey to testify for the prosecution as 3rd witness on Thursday, June 16.

However, when the case was called, the Director of Public Prosecution, Yvonne Attakorah Obuobisa, told the court that the Health Minister was not able to make it because he had communication at the last minute to be in a COVAX meeting.

The Judge was not too happy about the turn of events and thus cautioned the prosecution not to allow this to repeat itself by ensuring that the 3rd witness is present at the next adjourned date; June 28, 2022.

Former Deputy Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, and two others; Dr. Sylvester Anemana and businessman, Richard Jakpa have been charged by the state for causing financial loss over the importation of 30 ambulances out a total of 200 in a contract between the Ministry of Health and a Dubai based Company in 2012.