Health Ministry Refutes Ablakwa’s Claims on $34.9m Ambulance Spare Parts Contract, Clarifies 2020 Signing Date

In response to allegations from North Tongu MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Ghana’s Ministry of Health has issued a statement clarifying details about a $34.9 million contract for ambulance spare parts. The Ministry, addressing Ablakwa’s concerns on Thursday, July 25, stated that the contract in question was signed in 2020, not in 2024, as Ablakwa suggested. The Ministry further emphasized that the deal was handled by the now-defunct Ministry of Special Development Initiatives and awarded to Service Auto Group Ghana Limited.

The contract, the Ministry explained, covered after-sales service and maintenance for 307 Mercedes Benz Sprinter 315 CDI ambulances, which the government acquired in 2019. According to the Health Ministry, the agreement was set to ensure continuous operational support for the ambulances, crucial for emergency medical services.

Mr. Ablakwa has raised suspicions of corruption in the transaction, petitioning the Office of the Special Prosecutor for further investigation. He claimed that $10 million has already been paid to Service Auto Group Ghana Limited, allegedly authorized by the Finance Minister shortly before his departure from office.

Ablakwa questioned the legitimacy of Service Auto Group Ghana Limited, noting that the company was incorporated on April 24, 2020—after the ambulances had been commissioned. He expressed concerns about the company’s ability to fulfill its contractual obligations, citing Auditor-General findings that questioned its credibility. The North Tongu MP further linked two daughters of President Akufo-Addo to the business through a close associate of theirs, a director in the company.

The Ministry’s response aims to provide clarity on the timeline and scope of the contract, while the allegations from Ablakwa have sparked debate and called for a closer look at government procurement practices. The investigation by the Special Prosecutor is anticipated to bring more details to light.