Richard Jakpa, the third accused in the ongoing ambulance procurement case, has shed light on the standard procedures required for dealing with the Ghanaian government as a businessman.
Testifying in court, Jakpa emphasized the critical role of the Finance Minister’s authorization seal in the financial processes involving the Controller and Accountant General’s Department (CAGD) and the Bank of Ghana (BoG).
Jakpa detailed that communications typically originate from the Secretaries of Chief Directors or Deputy Ministers, who then forward letters to the office of the substantive Minister of Finance. Upon receipt of these communications, the Secretary of the Minister of Finance seeks the Minister’s approval. Once the approval is granted, the Secretary affixes the authorization seal on the letter, enabling the CAGD or the BoG to implement the instructions contained in the letter.
“The authorization seal bearing the Minister of Finance’s approval is crucial,” Jakpa insisted. He underscored that without this seal, neither the CAGD nor the BoG would act on any directive to debit Ghana’s consolidated accounts, whether for local or international payments.
During his cross-examination on Thursday, June 13, Jakpa reiterated that this stringent process is designed to safeguard Ghana’s financial integrity.
He highlighted that the process ensures only the Finance Minister, with proper authorization and oversight, can authorize debits from the country’s consolidated account for payments related to services rendered or work completed by any Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assembly (MMDA).
Jakpa’s testimony provided a detailed explanation of the procedural safeguards in place, emphasizing that these measures are essential to maintaining financial discipline and preventing unauthorized transactions.