Vice President of IMANI Africa, Bright Simons, has emphasised that the trial of Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, former Deputy Finance Minister and Minority Leader, over the ambulance issue is a blatant example of political persecution.
Simons argued that the trial aims to weaken democratic accountability and, in his article “Ghana’s Ambulance Saga is Crazier Than You Think,” he suggested that Dr. Forson has been unfairly targeted.
“Coming in the wake of the government’s biggest second-term crisis in the newly split parliament, the prosecution was immediately condemned by some independent analysts, myself included, as pure political persecution and an attempt to undermine democratic accountability,” he stated.
He further stated, “It was apparent then, as it is now, that the MP had been unfairly targeted, and some of us said so.”
On Tuesday, July 30, the Court of Appeal acquitted and discharged Dr Forson, thereby overturning the trial Court’s order for him to present his defence in the case.
The ambulance case involving Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, former Deputy Finance Minister, and businessman Richard Jakpa centers on allegations of financial misconduct in the procurement of ambulances for Ghana’s Ministry of Health.
The case dates back to 2014, when the Ministry of Health signed a contract with Big Sea General Trading Limited for the supply of 200 ambulances. Dr. Forson, who was then the Deputy Finance Minister, authorised the release of €2.37 million for the purchase of the first 30 ambulances.
The prosecution claims that these ambulances were defective and did not meet the required specifications, leading to financial loss to the state.
Richard Jakpa, involved in facilitating the transaction, is also accused of playing a role in the procurement process that allegedly led to the delivery of substandard vehicles.
Both Dr. Forson and Jakpa face charges, including wilfully causing financial loss to the state, and their trial has sparked debates over whether it is a legitimate pursuit of accountability or a case of political persecution.