The third accused person in the ongoing ambulance procurement trial, Richard Jakpa, has told the court that Cabinet and Parliament approved the processes for the procurement of ambulances and its specifications, asserting that all necessary due diligence was meticulously observed.
The statement was made in response to a legal challenge questioning the integrity and transparency of the procurement procedures by the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame on Tuesday, July 2.
The accused person emphasised that the approval process involved comprehensive scrutiny at multiple levels, ensuring that the ambulances met all required standards and specifications.
He highlighted that both the Cabinet and Parliament conducted thorough evaluations, including cost assessments and technical reviews, before granting their final approval.
According to Mr Jakpa, this rigorous process was aimed at guaranteeing the best value for public funds and the highest quality of service delivery in the health sector.
The prosecution of this case was initiated by the Attorney General, which raised concerns about potential irregularities in the procurement process and alleged financial loss to the state.
The AG states that there were discrepancies in the pricing and quality of the ambulances, suggesting that due diligence might have been compromised.
In court, Mr Jakpa presented detailed documentation to support his claims, including minutes of meetings, evaluation reports, and correspondence between relevant government bodies.
He argued that the evidence demonstrated the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability in the procurement of ambulances.
Mr Jakpa further assured the court that the entire process was aligned with national procurement laws and international best practices.
