The High Court in Accra has approved the release of the passport belonging to Dr Sylvester Anemana, former Chief Director of the Ministry of Health.
The decision allows Dr Anemana to undergo a medical procedure in India while he is standing trial for alleged financial misconduct in the purchase of ‘defective’ ambulances for the Ministry of Health.
Dr. Anemana is facing charges alongside Minority Leader, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, and private businessman Richard Jakpa. The trio is accused of willfully causing financial loss to the state, amounting to €2.37 million, through a contract to procure 200 ambulances for the Ministry of Health.
The prosecution has focused on whether the ambulances were acquired in line with the approved purchase agreement by Parliament, asserting that the vehicles lack the necessary equipment for ambulance functionality.
The trial, currently in progress, has faced interruptions due to Dr. Anemana’s health issues, prompting his legal team to file an application for the release of his passport. The retired public servant was initially receiving medical treatment in Ghana, but the severity of his condition has led to the request for overseas medical care.
Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe, a Court of Appeal judge presiding over the case, made the decision to release Dr. Anemana’s passport. The court considered the consent of those who stood surety for the accused, acknowledging their commitment to producing Dr. Anemana when required after his medical procedure.
As the case involves complex financial allegations and health-related concerns, the court is set to obtain a warrant from the Chief Justice to facilitate the testimony of any witness who wishes to testify via video link.
The trial, marked by its intricate legal and health-related dynamics, is scheduled to resume on January 30, 2024, for further proceedings. The decision to release Dr. Anemana’s passport for medical treatment abroad adds a layer of complexity to the ongoing legal proceedings surrounding the controversial ambulance procurement.