Health Minister Dr. Bernard Okoe Boye has clarified that the Bank of Ghana has not disbursed any funds regarding the $34 million ambulance spare parts deal with Service Ghana Auto Group Limited.
This comes in response to allegations made by North Tongu MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who accused former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta and former Health Minister Kwaku Agyeman-Manu of colluding with Service Ghana Auto Group Limited to defraud the state in the failed transaction.
Ablakwa claimed that Ofori-Atta sanctioned the deal just five days before leaving office, which he suggested indicated potential misconduct, especially given the company’s recent incorporation and questionable capacity to fulfill the contract.
Speaking before the Government Assurances Committee of Parliament on Thursday, August 1, Dr. Okoe Boye firmly denied that the $34 million had been paid to Service Ghana Auto Group Limited.
“I spoke to one of the Deputy Governors who I had a working relationship with when I was at Health Insurance and the Deputy Governor made me aware that not even a dollar has been given to the provider.
“She used some terms that it is actually a letter of credit and that it is when the provider has actually performed, and supplied parts to certain tunes that they are empowered to pay for the work done.
And so the governor made me understand that they have it with them, but they have not paid.”