We failed to inspect the ambulances before they were shipped to Ghana – the health minister admits

Health Minister Kwaku Agyemang Manu has admitted that the government of Ghana failed to send its officials to inspect the ambulances it procured before they were shipped to Ghana.

Mr Manu told Accra High Court that this went against the clear terms of the contract.

The Minister is the Attorney General's fourth witness in a case involving former Deputy Treasury Secretary Dr Cassiel Ato Forson and two others who are accused of causing financial loss to the state in purchasing the vehicles.

Thirty ambulances acquired by the Government from supplier Big Sea Trading Company Limited have been described by the Attorney General as defective and not fit for objective.

The transaction is said to have caused damage to the state of 2.3 million euros.
The lawyers of Dr Forson under the direction of Dr Abdul Aziz Bamba continued their cross-examination of the health minister on Thursday.

The health secretary initially admitted that the government failed to fulfil one of its contractual obligations. This was the prerequisite for issuing letters of credit 120 days after signing the contract.

dr Bamba - "Has the Government of Ghana established the LC as required in Section 4.2.1?"
Health Minister – “In my opinion, I will say no.

But my lady, let me bring your attention to another fact. In the exact bullet point, goods assessment LCs are created for every 50 ambulances at contract signing.

"Ma'am, Exhibit V that I have speaks about the purchase of brand new 200 medical ambulances. And so, madam, the contract for every 50 ambulances referred to in Section 4.2 was never concluded. And that's why the LCs shouldn't have been founded at all.”

Dr Bamba - "Agree with me that the Government of Ghana breached Exhibit V by failing to comply with Clause 4.2.1 regarding the timeframe for establishing the LC."

Minister of Health - "I'm happy to agree with you"

The health minister then conceded that the government had also failed to make use of the terms of the contract allowing it to inspect the vehicles before shipment.

Rr Bamba – “Annex V, Claude 7 provides for a pre-shipment inspection of ambulances before they are shipped to Ghana. Is that correct? "

Minister of Health - "That is correct."
dr Bamba - "To the best of your knowledge, did the Government of Ghana conduct a pre-shipment inspection before the ambulances were shipped to Ghana?"
Minister of Health - "No, sir."

The health minister then acknowledged that the health ministry had agreed with the supplier on a plan to rectify the ambulances' shortcomings.

Some medical equipment for the vehicles has since been shipped but never cleared from ports.

Bamba questioned the Minister of Health as to why the equipment was not released. Mr Manu said the ministry does not have the resources to do so.

He, therefore, asked the supplier to clear the items. dr However, Bamba argued that it was the Ministry of Health's duty to clear the items.

Dr Bamba “The statement you just made is incorrect. It was the responsibility of the Government of Ghana to clean up the equipment.”
Minister of Health - "I don't see it that way."