The third accused, Richard Jakpa, in the ongoing trial involving the procurement of ambulances, has testified that the letter from the first accused, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, regarding the establishment of Letters of Credit (LCs) was addressed to the Bank of Ghana (BoG) and not to the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department (CAGD).
Mr. Jakpa emphasized that the letter authorizing the establishment of LCs for the ambulance procurement was addressed to the BoG on behalf of the then Finance Minister, Seth Terkper.
This detail, he argued, is essential for understanding the context and appropriateness of the authorization process.
Jakpa’s testimony aimed to defend Dr. Ato Forson against allegations of improper conduct in the ambulance procurement process.
He asserted that Dr. Forson’s actions were consistent with standard government practices, and that addressing the letter to the BoG was in line with usual protocols for such financial transactions.
This, Jakpa noted, should mitigate claims of wrongdoing attributed to Dr. Forson.
The controversy surrounding the ambulance procurement has seen Dr. Ato Forson accused of financial malfeasance, with prosecutors arguing that he bypassed established procedures.
However, Jakpa countered this by stating that the letter directed to the BoG was both appropriate and necessary for the timely and efficient execution of the procurement.
Jakpa argued that the BoG is the correct entity for handling such transactions, given its oversight of the country’s monetary policy and financial operations.
In court, he detailed how the BoG, rather than the CAGD, is typically responsible for issuing LCs due to its role in managing the nation’s foreign exchange and international financial transactions.
He pointed out that this distinction is crucial in ensuring that financial processes adhere to proper channels, reinforcing that Dr. Forson’s actions were in line with standard practices.
Despite Jakpa’s defense, the prosecution maintains that the seal on the document indicates the authority of the former Deputy Minister, not the Minister.