CEO of Big Sea General Trading LLC, the central company implicated in Ghana’s controversial ambulance procurement contract currently under criminal trial Hamed Sardashti, is scheduled to testify via video link from Dubai at 11:30 am local time.
Specializing in ambulance production, Big Sea General Trading LLC began shipping 200 ambulances to Ghana in December 2014, starting with an initial batch of 10, following the signing of a contract with the Ghanaian government.
In February 2015, the company invited three key officials from Ghana’s Ministry of Health, who oversee the country’s ambulance service, to its production facility in Dubai.
Their visit aimed to address concerns raised by the Ministry in a post-delivery inspection report regarding the first ten ambulances shipped to Ghana.
The Ministry’s concerns highlighted specific aspects of the ambulances needing rectification and proposed additional features to meet Ghana’s ambulance service standards for improved functionality.
Mr. Sardashti’s testimony is expected to provide clarity on the case involving Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, Minority Leader of Parliament and former Deputy Minister of Finance, who approved the Letter of Credit for the first 50 ambulances.
Dr. Forson and Richard Jakpa, agent of Big Sea General Trading LLC, are facing trial for alleged willful causing of financial loss to the state and intentional misapplication of state property.