At the Financial Division of the High Court in Accra, today, Thursday, July 18, the Military Secretary, Air Commodore Adu Gyamfi, testified, detailing a businessman, Richard Jakpa’s involvement in misconduct during his service in the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).
The ongoing trial involves Richard Jakpa, Minority Leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, former Chief Director of the Ministry of Health, Sylvester Anemana and a former Deputy Minister of Finance.
They are accused of causing financial loss in a deal to procure 200 ambulances between 2014 and 2016.
During the proceedings, it was revealed that Mr Jakpa’s release letter from the military was prepared following extensive reports, discussions, and interviews.
Despite the efforts of Jakpa’s lawyer, Thaddeus Sory, to subpoena specific documents and question the Military Secretary, no questions were posed regarding the requested documents.
Counsel for Ato Forson, Dr. Aziz Bamba, opted not to cross-examine the Military Secretary, leaving the stage for the prosecution led by Attorney-General (AG), Godfred Yeboah Dame.
Mr Dame, in his cross-examination, pressed the Military Secretary on the production of documents requested by Mr Jakpa’s lawyer, which were subsequently tendered as evidence.
Among the documents tendered was a Special Report dated May 20, 2004, detailing Mr Jakpa’s misconduct within the Ghana Armed Forces.
The report, authored by Mr Jakpa’s commanding officer, described his conduct as “unacceptable” and highlighted instances of indiscipline, including failures in examinations and unauthorized absences.
The report also detailed Jakpa’s financial troubles, noting a debt of $400 owed to a Lebanese businessman during a mission in Lebanon, contrasting with a separate debt of $300 documented in his release letter for unpaid items in Ghana.
When questioned by the Attorney-General about the nature of Jakpa’s release, Air Commodore Adu Gyamfi affirmed that based on the evidence presented, Jakpa’s departure from the military was not deemed honorable, as such a designation was not explicitly stated in his release letter.
Meanwhile, Mr Jakpa,has acknowledged during cross-examination by Attorney General, Godfred Yeboah Dame that his company received 28.7% of the government payment to Big Sea under the contract, totaling approximately €700,000.
He clarified that this amount represented payments to Jakpa@Business as an agent under an Agency Agreement with Big Sea Limited, entitling him to 10% of all monies paid under the ambulance contract, with additional entitlements under other clauses.
He refuted allegations that he initiated the ambulance purchase after parliamentary approval, stating that Big Sea was known to the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Finance before approval was granted in November 2012.
On November 19, 2012, Mr Anemana sought approval from the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) for single sourcing Big Sea for the ambulance supply.
By December 19, 2012, the Ministry of Health formally contracted Big Sea for the supply of 200 Mercedes Benz ambulances at a total cost of €15.8 million, with specific delivery terms.
The trial continues as the prosecution seeks to establish the extent of financial mismanagement in the ambulance procurement process.