Dr. Richard Amoako Baah, a leading member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has expressed strong disapproval of a $34.9 million deal for ambulance spare parts, which has been linked to the children of President Akufo-Addo. In an interview with TV3, Dr. Amoako Baah called the transaction “thievery” and questioned its legitimacy.
He pointed out that the deal was unnecessary, stating that new vehicles should come with warranties, eliminating the need to set up a separate company to service them. “If you buy a new vehicle, you don’t build a company to service it. You get a warranty and negotiate with the supplier. This is thievery, very simple,” he said.
Dr. Amoako Baah’s criticism comes after Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, revealed the involvement of President Akufo-Addo’s son-in-law, Stephen Okoro, in the ambulance procurement process. Ablakwa labeled the $34.9 million deal for spare parts as part of a broader issue, with opaque contracts also awarded for the purchase of 307 ambulances at an inflated cost of $54.3 million.
Ablakwa accused the same individuals involved in the spare parts deal of orchestrating the procurement of the ambulances under suspicious circumstances, with prices inflated by nearly $30 million. According to him, companies like Elok Consult and Services Limited and BEFT Engineering Works Limited, set up shortly after Akufo-Addo took office, were awarded the contracts.
The Health Ministry has defended the procurement process, stating that it adhered to legal frameworks and was subject to auditing. However, Ablakwa’s revelations have sparked public outrage and renewed calls for a deeper investigation into the government’s procurement practices.
Dr. Amoako Baah’s remarks have added fuel to the growing controversy, as many Ghanaians demand accountability over the use of public funds.
The $34million Ambulance Spare Part Deal is pure thievery” – Dr Richard Amoako Baah, Leading Member NPP/Political Scientist#TV3NewDay pic.twitter.com/h2BGeNyp5F
— #TV3GH (@tv3_ghana) July 29, 2024
