The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has formally acknowledged a petition filed by Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Member of Parliament for North Tongu Constituency regarding the government’s contract involving the US$ 34.9 million Ambulance Spare Parts.
In an official letter dated July 25, 2024, Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng assured the National Democratic Congress lawmaker that the OSP would commence an investigation if the matter fell within its mandate.
The Office of the Special Prosecutor further noted in its letter addressed to the North Tongu Member of Parliament, Honorable Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa that it shall contact him for further assistance should the need arise.
“Please accept the compliments of my highest consideration, Faithfully, Kissi Agyebeng, Special Prosecutor, the letter concluded.
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa’s Response
Reacting to the acknowledgment, Honorable Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa expressed his resolve to ensure accountability and protect the public purse.
The Ranking Member of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the Parliament Assurance Committee expressed happiness to the Special Prosecutor for formally acknowledging his complaint on the US$ 34.9 million Ambulance Spare Parts Scandal.
“Let’s see how things go from here. We shall do everything in our power to stop the imminent payment of US$ 24.9 million after Ken Ofori-Atta ordered the release of US$ 10 million to that shady company with presidential familial ties”.
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, MP for North Tongu Constituency
The North Tongu legislator further expressed his unalloyed commitment to continue his effort in safeguarding the country’s meager resources from rampant abuse by officials of the current government.
“Nothing will stop us from salvaging the battered public purse”, Honorable Ablakwa stressed adding that “State Capture shall surely be defeated!”.
Honorable Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa’s petition calls for an investigation into Ken Ofori-Atta, the former Minister of Finance, Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, the former Minister of Health, and Service Ghana Auto Group Limited over alleged procurement breaches, invoice inflation, and corruption-related offenses linked to the US$ 34.9 million Ambulance Spare Parts Scandal.
The controversy centers around a contract awarded to Service Ghana Auto Group Limited for the procurement of ambulance spare parts worth US$ 34.9 million for the maintenance and servicing of 307 ambulances procured under the One Constituency, One Ambulance policy.
Allegations have surfaced regarding procurement irregularities, inflated invoices, and connections to high-level government officials, including familial ties to the presidency.
In an earlier statement, Hon. Ablakwa revealed that intercepted incorporation documents indicate that Stephen Okoro, a key director of Service Ghana Auto Group Limited, is a close business partner and longtime associate of two of President Akufo-Addo’s daughters.
He pointed out that Gyankroma Akufo-Addo, the President’s daughter, and Stephen Okoro are the sole directors of SFO Initiatives Limited, a company that was incorporated on August 9, 2013.
He revealed that the company’s primary business activities include the construction of buildings and roads, civil engineering projects, as well as the farming of food and crops.
Honorable Ablakwa concluded that the circumstances surrounding Ken Ofori-Atta’s, former Finance Minister, eleventh-hour approval of the US$34.9 million ambulance spare parts contract and the subsequent disbursement of US$10 million reveal a clear conflict of interest, driven by family ties.
He emphasized that Ken Ofori-Atta’s main priority was to benefit his nieces, the President’s daughters, and their close business associate, suggesting a stark example of insider dealing at its worst.
The revelations have since provoked public outcry and heightened scrutiny over the government’s commitment to fighting corruption.
Critics argue that the payment authorization of US$ 10 million and the impending US$ 24.9 million payment demonstrate a disregard for due process and fiscal responsibility.
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