The Ministry of Health has clarified that no money has been paid to Service Ghana Auto Group Limited for the provision of spare parts.
The Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, had alleged that the procurement contract of $34 million (GH₵538 million) for the provision of spare parts was a collusion between the former Health Minister, Kwaku Agyeman-Manu and Ken Ofori Atta, former Minister of Finance.
Ablakwa accused the former ministers of conniving with the private company to defraud the state.
Ablakwa in his claim, accused Ken Ofori-Atta of hastily approving the deal for the company, Service Ghana Auto Group Limited, for spare parts for the Ghana National Ambulance Service, just five days before he was removed from office.
Ablakwa said the company was incorporated on April 24, 2020, which according to him, raises questions about its capability to service ambulances that were commissioned in 2019.
In response, the Ministry of Health has clarified that it has not disbursed the alleged $34.9 million to the company.
The ministry explained that it had requested the establishment of letters of credit for this amount from the Ministry of Finance for the procurement of spare parts for 307 ambulances.
However, the Finance Ministry approved only $10 million and suggested to the Ministry of Health to seek additional funding from the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA).
“The Ministry of Health would like to clarify that the Service Provider, Ghana Auto Group Limited, has not been paid an amount of $34.9 million as widely reported,” the ministry stated.
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