Ambulance case: Former Health Minister, Sherry Ayitey, approved project resumption in a letter to Finance Ministry – 3rd accused tells court

Richard Jakpa, the businessman and third accused in the trial involving former Deputy Minister of Finance Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson over the purchase of ambulances, asserted that the deal was approved by then Minister for Health, Sherry Ayitey, of beloved memory

Mr. Jakpa stated that Minister Ayitey approved the deal in a letter dated July 19, 2013, which has been tendered in evidence and marked as Exhibit 14.

In his witness statement, Mr. Jakpa disclosed that his company, Jakpa Business Limited, was copied on the letter because it served as Big Sea’s agent at the time.

He emphasized that the minister’s approval was a crucial part of the process, highlighting the legitimacy of the transaction.

“By a letter dated 19th July 2013, Big Sea wrote to the then Minister for Health who at the time was the Honourable Sherry Ayitey [May Her Soul Rest In Peace] and notified the government that the first twenty [20] ambulances were ready for shipment. Because JBL was Big Sea’s agent, JBL was copied in this letter.”

“Big Sea, therefore, requested that as provided for by the contract, the government visit Dubai to inspect the ambulances before shipment. This letter as already stated was tendered in evidence and marked exhibit 14,” an excerpt of his witness statement said.

He also testified that the letters of credit in question bore the seal of then Finance Minister Seth Terkper.

Mr. Jakpa emphasized that without the minister’s authentication seal, the letters of credit would have been ineffective.

He further explained that this authentication seal was crucial and that its presence legitimized the letters of credit. Jakpa noted that the Bank of Ghana only opened the letters of credit after receiving authorization from the then Deputy Controller and Accountant General.

Mr. Jakpa highlighted the procedural importance of the authentication seal, asserting that it was an essential step in the process. He reiterated that this seal validated the letters of credit and ensured their effectiveness.

“It is after the documents marked as page 2 and 3 of Exhibit AK that the Former Minister for Finance [Hon. Seth Terkper] wrote to Big Sea assuring and informed it that he was in the process of finalising the establishment of the Letter of Credit. Thereafter, the Bank of Ghana [BOG] was requested to open the LC with the authentication seal of the Minister for Finance.”

“This is confirmed by exhibit A. Later the Deputy Controller and Accountant’s General finally authorised the BOG to establish the LC by exhibit B,” he added.