- Govt accused of inflating ambulance cost by $29.3m.
- Ambulances cost $54.3m, not $25m as expected.
- Maintenance company linked to President's family.
- Minority demands accountability and prosecution.
The Minority in Parliament has accused the government of inflating the cost of 307 ambulances procured in 2019, alleging that the contract was overpriced by $29.3 million. According to the Minority, the ambulances should have cost no more than $25 million, based on a unit price of $80,000.
However, the government paid a total of $54.3 million for the ambulances, which the Minority claims is a clear case of inflation. The Chairman of the Government Assurances Committee, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, demanded full accountability and prosecution of those found culpable in the deal.
Ablakwa referenced the Auditor General’s 2022 performance audit, which revealed the inflated procurement. The audit report showed that the unit price of the ambulance was $80,000, but the government paid $54.3 million for the 307 ambulances.
Ablakwa alleged that the company contracted to maintain the ambulances, Service Ghana Auto Group Limited, has links to President Akufo-Addo’s family. He claimed that the company’s director, Stephen Okoro, is an in-law to the President and has a longstanding business partnership with the President’s daughters.
The Minority also alleged that the company has been paid 115 million Ghana Cedis between 2020 and 2023 for maintenance of the ambulances under shady circumstances. Ablakwa called for a thorough investigation into the deal and prosecution of those found guilty, citing the need for accountability and transparency in government contracts.
