Kwamena Duncan has slammed Richard Jakpa and the opposition National Democratic Congress over the controversial ambulance purchase trial involving the Attorney-General, Godfred Yeboah Dame, and Minority Leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson.
Jakpa and Ato Forson have been accused before a High Court of causing financial loss of €2.37 million to the State in a deal to purchase 200 ambulances for the country between 2014 and 2016.
Per the A-G’s facts accompanying the charge sheet, in 2009, while delivering the State of the Nation Address, the then President, Prof. John Evans Atta Mills, indicated that new ambulances would be purchased to expand the operations of the National Ambulance Service.
Jakpa, a local representative of Big Sea General Trading Limited, a company based in Dubai, approached the Ministry of Health with a proposal that he had arranged for finance from Stanbic Bank for supply of the 200 ambulances but subsequently 30 ambulances were purchased at a sum of €2.37 million, however all were found “not fit for purpose”.
But the case has taken an interesting turn with Richard Jakpa, a third accused person, claiming the A-G approached him to help build a case against the Dr. Ato Forson, who was a former Deputy Finance Minister during the time of the ambulance procurement.
Jakpa had recorded the A-G’s private telephone conversation with him regarding the case.
“A-G has on several occasions engaged me at odd hours to help him make a case against A1 and I have evidence for that. If he pushes me, I will open the Pandora’s box.”
“I don’t understand why the A-G will accuse me of defending A1 when I’m here to defend myself,” Jakpa said in court.
Addressing the issue during Peace FM’s “Kokrokoo” morning show, the former Central Minister, Kwamena Duncan described the audio recording as a breach of law as provided in the constitution that gives the Attorney-General and every Ghanaian the right to privacy.
“It is unlawful to record someone you are having a conversation with without informing the person. Therefore, whether meeting at the residence of the Supreme Court Justice or even on phone is an intrusion into the privacy of the other party. The law doesn’t permit it,” he told the host, Kwami Sefa Kayi.
To Kwamena Duncan, the recording is a ploy by Jakpa in collaboration with the National Democratic Congress to create doubts in the minds of Ghanaians about the A-G’s suit.
“I’m sure this is all grand scheme which was carved out…Everything that is happening, it is for one effect, one single effect; to create doubt in the minds of the public,” he stated.
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Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.
