Jakpa Accuses Seth Terkper and Sherry Ayittey of Sabotaging the Ambulance Project

In the ongoing trial concerning an alleged botched ambulance transaction, Richard Jakpa, the third accused person, made startling accusations during his cross-examination by the prosecution on Thursday, July 20, 2024.

Jakpa pointed fingers at Seth Terkper, former Minister of Finance, and the late Sherry Ayittey, former Minister of Health under the Mahama administration, alleging they deliberately sabotaged the project.

Jakpa is facing trial alongside Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, former deputy finance minister and current Minority Leader in Parliament, on charges of willfully causing financial loss to the state in relation to the ambulance deal.

The prosecution bolstered its case with documentary evidence showing that the transaction lacked necessary approvals mandated by law.

It also highlighted objections from Sherry Ayittey and Seth Terkper, who cited irregularities, breaches of law, and concerns over value-for-money.

During his testimony, Jakpa described the actions of Terkper and Ayittey as deliberate sabotage, branding them as malevolent actors in the affair.

He claimed that both former ministers had thwarted the project from its inception, alleging a long-standing agenda to undermine its success.

The cross-examination, overseen by DPP Yvonne Atakora Obuobisa, featured Jakpa’s detailed responses to pointed queries.

He expressed dissatisfaction with the Attorney General’s handling of the case, accusing the AG of reneging on promises and manipulating legal processes against him.

Jakpa asserted that his interactions with the AG were strategic and often kept confidential from his legal counsel.

He painted a picture of frustration and betrayal, alleging that promises of leniency were not upheld, leading him to declare a personal vendetta against the Attorney General.

Meanwhile, Ato Forson, in earlier court proceedings, had implicated Seth Terkper as the official who authorized the contentious transaction, further complicating the legal landscape surrounding the case.

The next phase of the trial promises to shed more light on the alleged mismanagement and the roles played by key figures, including the late Sherry Ayittey and Seth Terkper, in what has become a significant legal saga in Ghana’s judicial history.