Sheikh Ahmed Dalmook Al Maktoum, the Dubai-based businessman contacted by the Ministry of Health for the procurement of 300,000 doses of the Sputnik V vaccine, has returned $2,470,000 to Ghana.
This new development is evident in a letter issued by the Private Office of the Sheikhwho has been at the center of Ghana’s recent vaccine controversy.
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In a letter, Sheikh Al Maktoum, said “no funds had been drawn under the Letter of Credit” which is a letter issued by a bank to another bank especially one in a different country to serve as a guarantee for payments.
He also said the Letter of Credit stands expired, as of June 2021.
According to the letter copied to the Ministry of Heath, “the requested amount of Two Million Four Hundred and Seventy Thousand States Dollars (USD2,470,000) has already been refunded to the designated bank account, as communicated by you. The SWIFT and payment advice for the refund is hereby attached for your reference and record”.
However, once the monies have been credited into the government bank account, Sheikh Al Maktoum is anticipating a payment receipt.
Gov’t Terminates Contract with Emirati Sheikh to Procure Sputnik V Vaccines
On the July 16, 2020, Ghana terminated the contract between the Emirati middleman Sheikh Ahmed Dalmook Al Maktoum to procure Sputnik V vaccines, which was slated to arrive in July.
This was after the parliamentary committee set up to probe the deal released findings including the fact the Health Ministry did not receive Cabinet approval for the deal.
Contained in a 29 paged report, the findings of the committee unraveled that the Health Ministry also breached the constitution by not seeking parliamentary approval for the agreement.
In addition, the Public Procurement Authority did not seek approval from its Board before signing the Agreements.
As a result the Minister for Finance had been tasked to take steps to recover the money already paid to Sheikh Al Maktoum.
