Jakpa Admits: No Parliamentary Approval for Ambulance Contract

In a significant development at the ongoing court proceedings, businessman Richard Jakpa has admitted that the international business agreement signed with Dubai-based company Big Sea General Trading LLC did not receive the required parliamentary approval as stipulated by Article 181(5) of the Constitution.

Under cross-examination by Attorney-General Godfred Yeboah Dame, Jakpa acknowledged that the agreement, which involved supplying ambulances, bypassed the parliamentary scrutiny mandated for such transactions.

He clarified that it was the responsibility of the Ministers for Finance and Health at the time to present the agreement to Parliament for approval.

Jakpa further admitted that Big Sea was not initially mentioned in the business proposal submitted to the Ministry of Health for the ambulance supply.

Moreover, the company’s name was absent from joint memoranda submitted by the Health Ministry and Parliament to Cabinet, as well as from the subsequent Cabinet approval for the transaction.

During questioning, Jakpa attempted to explain that parliamentary committees had reviewed the ambulance specifications and the contract terms.

However, when prompted by the Attorney-General to confirm if Big Sea was referenced in the parliamentary approval documents, Jakpa conceded that the company was not mentioned.

The Attorney-General also directed Jakpa’s attention to documents indicating Big Sea’s registration as a company licensed to convert vehicles into ambulances, dating back to April 9, 2015. T

his registration detail contrasts with the timeline of the ambulance contract, which was signed in 2012, with the ambulance importation occurring in 2014.

Jakpa clarified that such registrations are renewed annually, but the discrepancy in timelines raised further questions regarding the contractual process and adherence to legal requirements.

The court proceedings continue to scrutinize the details surrounding the ambulance contract, highlighting lapses in parliamentary oversight and the contractual process involving Big Sea General Trading LLC.