I Pocketed Over €700,000 From Ambulance Deal – Richard Jakpa Admits In Court

Richard Jakpa, a businessman embroiled in a high-profile case involving the alleged financial loss of €2.37 million to the state, has admitted that his company, Jakpa @ Business, received approximately €700,000 from the government under a controversial ambulance procurement contract. This admission came during cross-examination by Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame.

The controversy centers on an agreement between the government and Big Sea General Trading for the purchase of 200 ambulances. During his testimony, Mr. Jakpa revealed that his company received 28.7% of the total amount paid by the government to Big Sea, which amounts to roughly €700,000.

When questioned about the Agency Agreement with Big Sea Limited, which entitled him to 10% of all monies paid under the contract, Mr. Jakpa clarified, “That is so, but it is not my total entitlement. I was entitled to more by other clauses under the Agreement.”

Attorney General Dame pressed further, stating, “Out of the approximately €2.3 million paid by the Government to Big Sea under the Ambulance Contract, you and Jakpa @ Business earned 28.7% of it. In fact, about €700,000 was paid to you.” Mr. Jakpa confirmed, “Yes, that was the amount paid to Jakpa @ Business as an Agent.”

Mr. Jakpa also refuted allegations that he approached Big Sea for the ambulance purchase after receiving parliamentary approval. He clarified that Big Sea was already known to the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Finance prior to the approval. He pointed out that the agency agreement between Big Sea and Jakpa @ Business Limited was established on May 24, 2011, whereas parliamentary approval for the procurement occurred on November 1, 2012, more than a year later.

The ongoing trial involves former Deputy Minister of Finance and Minority Leader Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, former Chief Director of the Ministry of Health Sylvester Anemana, and Richard Jakpa. They are accused of causing a financial loss of €2.37 million to the state in the ambulance procurement deal, which took place between 2014 and 2016.

Dr. Forson, who is also the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament for Ajumako Enyan Esiam and the Ranking Member on the Finance Committee of Parliament, faces charges alongside his co-accused.

On November 19, 2012, Mr. Anemana is said to have written to the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) seeking approval to engage Big Sea through single sourcing for the supply of 200 ambulances. By an agreement dated December 19, 2012, the Ministry of Health formally contracted Big Sea General Trading, based in Dubai, for the supply of 200 Mercedes Benz ambulances at a contract sum of €15.8 million, with a unit price of €79,000 each. The delivery terms stipulated that the first batch of 25 vehicles should be delivered within 120 days of the agreement, with the remaining 175 vehicles to be delivered in batches of 25 every 30 days.

The trial continues as the court examines the details and implications of the procurement process and the financial transactions involved.

Source: GhanaFeed.Com