Deputy National Youth Organiser of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Osman Ayariga, has announced plans for a protest at the Presidency in response to the controversial ambulance spare parts deal.
Mr. Ayariga criticized the deal, labeling it as a misuse of national resources and indicative of corruption. He declared that the NDC will not tolerate what they see as mismanagement and plans to lead a demonstration involving unemployed Ghanaians to the Jubilee House and the office of President Akufo-Addo’s daughter.
In a media interview on Tuesday, Ayariga expressed his frustration with the administration’s handling of the deal, describing it as deeply troubling. He asserted that the level of corruption within the government is alarming and unacceptable.
“The protest is aimed at holding the government accountable for what we perceive as financial missteps and corruption. We want transparency and to draw attention to this issue,” Mr. Ayariga stated.
He further claimed, “Today, who else is benefiting from bloated and inflated contracts other than the President’s daughter and her associates who are enjoying from the ambulance contract? There is a new report from the Auditor-General indicating another purchase of 307 ambulances that was inflated from $24 million to $54 million—a staggering $30 million bloated contract. Meanwhile, we have 1.9 million unemployed youth roaming the streets of Accra. Soon, we will occupy everywhere, including the Jubilee House and President Akufo-Addo’s office.”
The Ministry of Health has responded to concerns raised by Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, MP for North Tongu, regarding a service contract with Service Auto Group Ghana Limited for ambulance maintenance.
The Ministry clarified that the contract was initially signed by the now-defunct Ministry of Special Development Initiatives, and the execution was later overseen by the Special Initiatives Development Secretariat.
Following the dissolution of the Ministry of Special Development Initiatives, the Ministry of Health was directed by the Chief of Staff to support the National Ambulance Service in maintaining the ambulances due to Parliament’s refusal to approve the Secretariat’s budget. The Ministry of Health sought letters of credit totaling $34.9 million from the Ministry of Finance for spare parts, but the Ministry of Finance could only approve $10 million, advising additional financing through the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA).
The NHIA indicated it could not fund the spare parts from its 10% allocation to the Ministry of Health. The Ministry of Health emphasized that Service Auto Group Ghana Limited had not received the reported $34.9 million and reiterated its commitment to maintaining a sustainable maintenance regime for the ambulances.
Ablakwa had raised concerns about potential corruption, questioning the legitimacy of Service Auto Group Ghana Limited and its connections to President Akufo-Addo’s daughters. This prompted him to petition the Office of the Special Prosecutor.
The Ministry of Health stated that all documentation related to the transaction is public record and expressed readiness to support efforts for further clarity in the public interest.