Minister of Health Kwaku Agyeman-Manu has revealed that sole-sourcing of procurement of some 200 ambulances by the ministry under the erstwhile Mahama administration to Big Sea Ltd was not approved by Parliament.
Testifying in the case against former Deputy Finance Minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, and two others, Mr Agyeman Manu submitted documents into evidence showing that although the former Health Minister and Chief Director of the Finance Ministry had obtained approval to borrow 15.5m euros, no approval had been given to sole source to Big Sea Ltd.
“The parliamentary approval was for the financing agreement and not any requirement of sole sourcing to Big Sea. What I can say is the fact that I have not sighted document of such nature at the Ministry alluding to this particular paragraph that was being used to justify the single source letter in favour of Big Sea General.
“What this paragraph is saying is that this company, referring to Big Sea General Trading, arranged funding for this project. Procuring 200 ambulances. There is no evidence that shows that the arrangement for the funding was done by Big Sea.”
Mr Agyeman Manu outlined details about how he first came into contact with the second accused, Dr Sylvestor Anemana and businessman Richard Jakpa after he was appointed minister and chairman of transition deliberations through which he observed ambulances procured by the then administration had not been delivered.
Led by the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, the health minister tendered in nine other documents as evidence against Cassiel Ato Forson, Richard Jakpa and Dr Sylvestor Anemana.
Hearing has been adjourned to July 5.
By Laud Adu Asare|3news.com|Ghana