€2.3 Million Ambulance Trial: Ato Forson Pleads Not Guilty

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Former Deputy Finance Minister, Cassiel Ato Forson, has pleaded not guilty to the charge of causing a €2.3 million loss to the state.

Two other accused persons, Sylvester Anemana, a former Chief Director at the Ministry of Health and Richard Jakpa, a businessman, also pleaded not guilty.

The three were granted bail in sums totaling Gh¢8 million.



The case relates to the procurement of some 200 ambulances by the Prof. John Evans Atta Mills and John Mahama governments.

Documents filed by the A-G traces the events culminating into the alleged crimes, from a 2009 announcement during a State of the Nation Address of plans to procure ambulances for the country.

The A-G says following this address, the Ministry of Health (MOH) initiated action to acquire more ambulances.

The third accused person, Richard Jakpa, is said to have used his company, Jakpa at Business, to present a proposal and term loan to the Health Ministry, which he claimed to have arranged from Stanbic Bank to finance the supply of 200 ambulances to the government.

According to the A-G, Cabinet endorsed an Executive approval for the project.

Mr Forson was granted a self recognizance bail in the sum of ¢3 million after pleading not guilty

The second accused person was granted bail of ¢1 million, while the third accused was granted bail of ¢5 million.

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