The Health Ministry has clarified that the service provider, Ghana Auto Group Limited, has not received the widely reported amount of $34.9 million for ambulance spare parts.
This statement comes in response to allegations made by the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who claimed that the procurement deal for ambulance spare parts was a scheme between former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, former Health Minister Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, and the private company to defraud the state.
In a press release dated July 25, 2024, the Ministry of Health detailed the financial transactions involved. According to the Ministry, only $10 million has been paid to Ghana Auto Group Limited, not the $34.9 million as reported.
The Ministry further explained that its actions were based on a directive from the Office of the Chief of Staff to support the National Ambulance Service after the dissolution of the Ministry of Special Development Initiatives.
This directive followed Parliament’s refusal to approve the budget estimates of the Special Initiatives Development Secretariat for the 2023 fiscal year.
The Ministry of Health said it had initially requested the establishment of letters of credit for $34,904,505 to procure spare parts for the 307 Mercedes Benz Sprinter ambulances. However, the Ministry of Finance indicated it could only fund up to $10 million of the requested amount.
Efforts to cover the remaining cost through the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) were unsuccessful, as it was not included in the allocation formula approved by Parliament.
The Ministry of Health has reiterated its commitment to ensuring a sustainable maintenance regime for the National Ambulance Service’s fleet to provide reliable, efficient, and safe emergency medical services.
Credit: myjoyonline.com