The ambulance procurement trial resumes today and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Big Sea General Trading LLC, Hamed Sardashti, is set to provide testimony via video link from Dubai.
Scheduled for 11:30 am local time, Sardashti’s testimony is expected to shed light on the controversial contract that has led to criminal charges against key figures in Ghana’s political and health sectors.
Big Sea General Trading LLC, a Dubai-based company specializing in ambulance production, entered into a contract with the Ghanaian government in 2014 to supply 200 ambulances. The first batch of 10 ambulances was shipped in December 2014, with subsequent shipments planned to follow.
In February 2015, three senior officials from Ghana’s Ministry of Health were invited to Big Sea’s production facility in Dubai.
This visit aimed to address issues raised in a post-delivery inspection report on the initial batch of ambulances. The Ministry had identified specific areas needing rectification and recommended additional features to ensure the ambulances met the operational standards of Ghana’s ambulance service.
Mr. Sardashti’s testimony is expected to provide clarity on these issues and the steps taken by Big Sea to address the Ministry’s concerns.
This is particularly relevant to the case involving Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, the Minority Leader of Parliament and former Deputy Minister of Finance, who approved the Letter of Credit for the first 50 ambulances.
Dr. Forson, along with Richard Jakpa, the agent of Big Sea General Trading LLC, faces charges of willfully causing financial loss to the state and intentionally misapplying state property.
The testimony of Mr. Sardashti is anticipated to play a crucial role in elucidating the contractual obligations and actions taken by Big Sea General Trading LLC, potentially impacting the legal proceedings against Dr. Forson and Mr. Jakpa.