A recent disclosure by Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the opposition Member of Parliament for North Tongu, has brought to light a troubling scandal involving a payment of over $34.9 million authorised by former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta. The payment was reportedly approved just five days before his departure from office.
The intercepted documents from Ghana’s Ministry of Finance, which have been made public by Ablakwa, show that the staggering amount was intended for the purchase of spare parts for the 307 ambulances distributed by the government under the One District One Ambulance initiative.
According to Ablakwa, the cost of spare parts per ambulance amounts to $113,695.456, exceeding the value of many fully-equipped new ambulances. This has raised questions about the rationale behind such an exorbitant expenditure when new ambulances could have been purchased for the same or even less.
Further investigations have also revealed that the company, Service Ghana Auto Group Limited, to which the payment was made, was incorporated more than a year after the ambulances were commissioned. The company was awarded the contract without a competitive procurement process, leading to suspicions of favouritism and lack of due diligence.
Additionally, Service Ghana Auto Group Limited had already received a substantial amount for servicing the ambulances between 2020 and 2023, and stands to make a total of GHS 653 million from the transactions, more than double the cost of the ambulances purchased in 2019.
Ablakwa has announced plans to formally petition the Office of the Special Prosecutor to conduct criminal investigations into the matter in an effort to hold those responsible accountable and protect the public purse from further exploitation.
This recent revelation has sparked widespread concern and calls for transparency and accountability in government transactions, as well as more stringent measures to prevent financial mismanagement and corruption. It serves as a reminder of the importance of exercising due diligence and ensuring that public funds are used responsibly for the benefit of the citizens of Ghana.
As the details of this scandal continue to unravel, it will be crucial for the relevant authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and take appropriate action to address the alleged financial mismanagement. The outcome of this case will undoubtedly have significant implications for the future of financial governance in Ghana.