The Minority in Parliament has accused the Ghanaian government of significantly inflating the cost of the 307 ambulances procured in 2019.
According to their claims, the total expenditure for these ambulances should have been at most $25 million, based on a unit cost of $80,000 each. However, the actual cost reported was $54.3 million.
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Chairman of the Government Assurances Committee, addressed journalists, demanding full accountability and prosecution of those involved.
He cited the Auditor General’s 2022 performance audit, which highlighted discrepancies in the procurement process.
“Page 24 of the audit reveals that the unit price of each ambulance was $80,000, yet the total amount paid was $54.3 million,” Ablakwa stated.
“If we had paid $80,000 per unit for 307 ambulances, the total cost should have been no more than $25 million.
This discrepancy suggests an inflated procurement.”
Ablakwa further alleged that between 2020 and 2023, Service Ghana Auto Group Limited, which has ties to President Akufo-Addo’s family, received an additional 115 million Ghana Cedis to maintain these ambulances.
He claimed that this company’s director, Stephen Okoro, is an in-law of President Akufo-Addo and has familial connections with the President’s daughters.
The Minority has also highlighted recent developments involving the Ministry of Finance. Ablakwa noted that in February 2024, a few days before then-Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta left office, a directive was issued for $34.9 million in payments, with the Ministry of Finance covering $10 million and the National Health Insurance Authority handling $24.9 million.
Ablakwa added, “The involvement of Stephen Okoro, who has personal connections with the President, raises concerns about potential conflicts of interest and corruption.”
“Politically exposed persons, such as Okoro, should be subject to increased scrutiny, which is why we included provisions for such individuals in the Office of Special Prosecutor Act.”
The Minority’s claims have prompted calls for a thorough investigation into the ambulance project’s procurement process and financial management.
