The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has clarified that it has not disbursed any payments related to the $34.9 million ambulance spare parts deal.
This is despite establishing a Letter of Credit (LC) for $10 million in favor of Service Ghana Auto Group.
According to sources at the BoG no payment has been made on the LC as they have yet to receive any call or demand for the funds.
The LC was established to facilitate the importation of spare parts needed to maintain the country’s existing fleet of ambulances.
The response comes after Mr Ablakwa raised an alarm about possible corruption in the deal for which reason he has proceeded to petition the Office of the Special Prosecutor.
Earlier today, the Ministry has said the contract was originally signed by the now-defunct Ministry of Special Development Initiatives with Service Auto Group Ghana Limited.
Without responding specifically to the corruption allegations, the Ministry of Health explained that the Finance Minister acted only upon the request of the Health Ministry after the Ministry of Special Development Initiatives was dissolved.
“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 of Health is committed to ensuring a sustainable maintenance regime for all fleets procured for the National Ambulance Service to provide reliable, efficient, and safe emergency medical services,” an excerpt of the statement said.
The Ministry added that it is ready to support any effort that will bring further clarity to this issue in the interest of the public.