Controversy Over $34.9 Million Ambulance Parts Deal: Okudzeto Ablakwa Claims Financial Malfeasance by Ken Ofori-Atta
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, has accused former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta of defrauding the state in a $34.9 million transaction involving Service Ghana Auto Group Limited.
According to Mr. Ablakwa, on February 9, 2024, Ken Ofori-Atta authorized the payment of US$34,904,505.00 for the acquisition of spare parts for 307 ambulances that the government acquired in 2019.
On the same day, he instructed the Controller and Accountant-General to disburse US$10 million (GHS120,711,000.00) to Service Ghana Auto Group Limited, which received the payment on February 23, 2024.
Mr. Ablakwa contends that the deal is excessively costly, amounting to US$113,695.456.00 for each ambulance, a sum that surpasses the price of several brand-new, fully furnished Mercedes Benz ambulances.
He questioned the necessity of such an expensive transaction for replacement parts, suggesting that the same amount could be used to purchase new ambulances.
In a Facebook post, Mr. Ablakwa alleged a “lootocratic” conspiracy involving the outgoing Health Minister, Kwaku Agyeman-Manu. He criticized both ministers for causing financial losses, citing various scandals and mismanagement issues, including the Sputnik V scandal and mismanagement of COVID-19 funds.
Mr. Ablakwa accused them of continuing to wreak havoc even as they were leaving office.
“In his last shockingly sleazy conduct, Ken Ofori-Atta, by a letter dated 9th February 2024, approved a staggering US$34,904,505.00 to be paid to the discredited Service Ghana Auto Group Limited for the procurement of spare parts for the 307 ambulances purchased by the government in 2019,” Mr. Ablakwa’s statement read.
He further noted that on the same day, the Finance Minister instructed the Controller and Accountant-General to release US$10 million, equivalent to GHS120,711,000.00.
Read Details of Statement Below:
