Richard Jakpa, the third defendant in the ambulance purchase trial involving former Deputy Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, claims that the deal received approval from then-Health Minister Sherry Ayitey.
According to Mr. Jakpa, Minister Ayitey gave her approval for the deal in a letter dated July 19, 2013, which has already been submitted as evidence and labelled as Exhibit 14.
Mr. Jakpa stated in his witness statement that Jakpa Business Limited was copied in the letter due to its role as Big Sea’s authorized agent during that period.
He stressed that the minister’s approval played a vital role in the process, underscoring the validity and legitimacy of the transaction.
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“By a letter dated 19th July 2013, Big Sea wrote to the then Minister for Health who at the time was the Honourable Sherry Ayitey [May Her Soul Rest In Peace] and notified the government that the first twenty [20] ambulances were ready for shipment. Because JBL was Big Sea’s agent, JBL was copied in this letter. Big Sea, therefore, requested that as provided for by the contract, the government visit Dubai to inspect the ambulances before shipment. This letter as already stated was tendered in evidence and marked exhibit 14,” an excerpt of his witness statement said.
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In his testimony, he disclosed that the letters of credit featured the official stamp of Seth Terkper, the then-Finance Minister.
Jakpa also highlighted that the authentication seal was essential, as it legitimized the letters of credit. He explained that the Bank of Ghana only activated the letters of credit after receiving permission from the then Deputy Controller and Accountant General, verifying their validity.
“It’s is after the documents marked as page 2 and 3 of Exhibit AK that the Former Minister for Finance [Hon. Seth Terkper] wrote to Big Sea assuring and informed it that he was in the process of finalising the establishment of the Letter of Credit. Thereafter, the Bank of Ghana [BOG] was requested to open the LC with the authentication seal of the Minister for Finance. This is confirmed by exhibit A. Later the Deputy Controller and Accountant’s General finally authorised the BOG to establish the LC by exhibit B,” he added.
