Hot!
Ambulance case: AG challenges Terpker’s claim of authorizing Ato Forson to request LCs
- /home/u249204778/domains/spectator.com.gh/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 27
https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/d8be45ec-2c5d-44c9-9cee-151dd1966352.jpeg&description=Ambulance case: AG challenges Terpker’s claim of authorizing Ato Forson to request LCs', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
- Share
- Tweet /home/u249204778/domains/spectator.com.gh/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 72
https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/d8be45ec-2c5d-44c9-9cee-151dd1966352.jpeg&description=Ambulance case: AG challenges Terpker’s claim of authorizing Ato Forson to request LCs', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
The Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, has challenged claims by former Finance Minister, Seth Terkper, that he authorized Minority Leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, to establish letters of credit for the defective ambulance deal.
Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson is standing trial with two others for counts of causing financial loss to the state in the purchase of 50 faulty ambulances.
The case against the Minority Leader is that he requested the letters of credit which formed the basis for the payment of the ambulances to the tune of 2.3 million Euros without authorisation, a claim he has denied.
On Thursday, his former boss Seth Terkper testified in his favour, explaining that contrary to claims by the state, Dr. Ato Forson acted on his express approval.
In his witness statement, Seth Terkper noted, “For the avoidance of doubt, I state again that, I as the then Minister of Finance, authorized A1 (Dr. Ato Forson) to request the Bank of Ghana to set up the LC (Letters of Credit) with the sole objective e of avoiding potential financial liability for the Government”.
The Attorney-General Godfred Yeboah Dame, however, during cross-examination inquired from the witness to point to exhibited documents that prove that he indeed gave authorization to Dr. Ato Forson.
But Mr. Seth Terkper explained that the authorization followed advice from the Attorney General’s department. According to him, the Attorney General had forwarded a letter written to the Ministry of Health to his outfit asking that steps be taken to honour the terms of the contract.
He further explained that the letters from the Attorney General were subsequently forwarded to the legal department of the Ministry of Finance.
The legal department according to the witness (Seth Terkper) advised that “the minister consider signing the loan agreement between Government of Ghana and Stanbic Bank for 15 million Euros for this project to enable the establishment of the letter of credit in line with the ministry of health obligation for the establishment of the letters of credit”.
Based on this, Seth Terkper explained that a meeting was held with the accused person and other directors of the Ministry of Finance, where a decision was taken on the issuance of the letters of credit.
But Attorney-General Godfred Yeboah Dame further inquired for Mr Terkper to point to a specific document authored by him to the legal department of the ministry on which its advice was based.
Mr. Terkper clarified that the documents relied upon by the legal department were prepared for his office, and there was no need for him to have written a letter to the legal department.
Godfred Yeboah Dame, however, prompted the witness’ attention to the fact that a letter written by the debt division of the ministry of finance on the establishment of letters of credit noted the instruction came from the deputy finance minister at the time, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson.
Mr. Seth Terkper explained that the decision for the letters of credit to be established had been taken and Dr. Ato Forson was only “exercising his routine delegated responsibility as deputy minister in charge of the budget”.
The Attorney-General also asked the witness to point to any statement from the then Attorney General requiring the establishment of the letters of credit, as he had under cross-examination explained that the decision was based on the advice of the Attorney General’s department.
Mr. Terkper insisted that even though he did not see any such statement in the Attorney General’s letter, the advice requested for them to comply with the supply agreement which contained the term for the establishment of the Letters of Credit.
Godfred Yeboah Dame further questioned the witness on the propriety of the letters of credit. In his line of questioning, the principal legal advisor of the state indicated that even though the agreement required the issuing of the letters of credit be done after a contract for the delivery of 50 ambulances had been signed, the request for letters of credit were made at a time the said contract had not been signed.
The former finance minister reiterated that even though the said contract had not been signed, the request for the establishment of the letters of credit was based on the advice from the Attorney General’s department and the legal department of the Ministry of Finance.
On making payments before the ambulances were delivered, contrary to the dictates of the contract, Mr. Terkper explained that the problem lies with the Ministry of Health and not the Ministry of Finance.
Questioned if the payments were made in error, Mr. Terkper, answered in the affirmative but clarified that it was ‘nothing that major, conditions for the contract had been breached, and our attention has been drawn.’
Source: Citinewsroom.com
The University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) has disputed claims made on social media by comedian Michael Blackson concerning the treatment given to his late mother, saying a review found that the allegations did not accurately reflect what happened during her stay at the hospital.
In a statement issued in Accra on August 5, 2026, the management of UGMC expressed condolences to Mr. Blackson and his family over the death of his 83-year-old mother, who died at the facility on July 16, 2026.
The hospital said it had taken the concerns raised by Mr. Blackson seriously and conducted a thorough review in line with its clinical and administrative procedures.
According to the statement, the facts presented by Mr. Blackson on social media contained “numerous inaccuracies” and did not accurately reflect the medical care provided to his mother.
UGMC explained that she was referred to the facility from another hospital and received treatment there from May 27 to July 16, 2026, a period of about eight weeks.
The hospital stated that it would not release details of her diagnosis, treatment, medical records or other aspects of her care because it had a duty to protect patient confidentiality, even after death.
It said the decision was intended to respect the dignity of the deceased and the privacy of her family.
UGMC further stated that all clinical decisions at the facility are made by qualified healthcare professionals based on medical judgment, established standards of care and the best interests of the patient.
The statement added that such decisions are made in consultation with authorised family representatives where necessary and that billing and financial procedures are governed by institutional policies and are separate from clinical decision-making.
The hospital noted that it values feedback from patients and their families and considers both positive and negative comments important for improving the quality of care.
Mr. Blackson had earlier used social media to criticise the care his mother received at UGMC, prompting the hospital’s response.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has directed all aspirants campaigning in the Greater Accra Region to suspend their campaign activities on August 5 and 6 and instead mobilise supporters for the party’s planned “Democracy Under Attack” demonstration.
The directive was issued by the party’s National Steering Committee in a statement signed by the NPP General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, on Tuesday.
According to the statement, the decision forms part of efforts to ensure a strong turnout for the demonstration, which is scheduled for Thursday, August 6, 2026.
The party said the protest would begin at 5:00 a.m., with participants expected to gather at the Supreme Court in Accra.
It further directed Regional, Constituency and Polling Station Executives in Greater Accra to work closely to mobilise members and supporters for the event.
“The National Steering Committee is calling on all aspirants currently campaigning across the Greater Accra Region to temporarily suspend their campaign activities on the 5th and 6th of August and join in mobilising support for the upcoming demonstration,” the statement noted.
The NPP appealed to party members and supporters to remain peaceful, disciplined and orderly throughout the protest.
The demonstration forms part of the party’s response to concerns it has raised over issues relating to Ghana’s democratic governance and the justice system.
The NPP leadership expressed confidence that party members would cooperate fully to ensure a successful and peaceful event.
By: Jacob Aggrey
