The Minister of Health, Dr Bernard Okoe Boye, has stated that the Bank of Ghana has not made any payment related to the $34 million ambulance spare parts deal with Service Ghana Auto Group Limited. Recently, the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, accused former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta and former Health Minister Kwaku Agyeman-Manu of conspiring with Service Ghana Auto Group Limited to defraud the state in the failed deal.
Ablakwa alleged that Ofori-Atta approved the deal just five days before leaving office, raising suspicions of impropriety and questioning the company’s ability to deliver, given its recent incorporation. Appearing before the Government Assurances Committee of Parliament on Thursday, August 1, Dr. Okoe Boye refuted claims that Service Ghana Auto Group Limited has already been paid $34 million.
“I spoke to one of the Deputy Governors who I had a working relationship with when I was at Health Insurance and the Deputy Governor made me aware that not even a dollar has been given to the provider. “She used some terms that it is actually a letter of credit and that it is when the provider has actually performed and supplied parts to certain tunes that they are empowered to pay for the work done. And so the governor made me understand that they have it with them, but they have not paid.”
