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NDC has set in motion a malicious scheme – NPP
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has strongly responded to press conference of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) calling on the Attorney General to resign or be sacked.
According to them, what they exhibited at its press conference was fuelled by lies, falsehoods, misrepresentations, blackmail.
In a Press Conference rebuting the expose’ by the NDC in the Ambulance saga, The Chairman of the New Patriotic Party’s Legal Committee
lawyer Frank Davies who addressed the media said, is not in dispute that, “the justice delivery system is arguably the last bastion of our burgeoning constitutional democracy, and if it is constantly being bastardized by people who ought to in the very least, be responsible and know better, it leaves much to be desired.”
Against this backdrop he added that “We owe it to ourselves and posterity to rescue our dear Country from this ‘dark canker’ by those who’ve made it their
‘stock in trade’ to spew vitriol and unapologetically take shots at
a system they have little or no faith in at all.”
“We have called you here because the NDC have since last week
set in motion a malicious scheme fueled by lies, falsehoods,
misrepresentations, blackmail and needless pollution of the
mass media, with the sole intention of obstructing the course of justice and scandalising the criminal proceedings in the High Court, to shield Ato Forso (MP), Minority Leader in
Parliament and former Deputy Minister of Finance, and his associates from taking responsibility for authorizing some payments which resulted in a whooping sum of 2.37 million
Euros being lost by the state,” he said
Addressing the facts of the matter, he said, on December 22, 2011, Cabinet endorsed an executive approval of a joint memorandum submitted to Cabinet by the then Minister for Health, Shirley Ayittey and 1st accused Cassiel Ato Forson, then Deputy Minister for Finance, for the purchase of 200 ambulances out of a medium term credit facility of €15,800,000.00 between Stanbic Bank Ghana Limited and the Government of Ghana
through the Ministry of Finance
On November 1, 2012.
He said the Parliament of Ghana granted approval for the financing agreement between Stanbic Bank
Ghana Limited and the Government of Ghana for the purchase of
the 200 ambulances.
Adding that by an agreement dated December, 19 2012, the Government of Ghana contracted a company in Dubai,
described as Big Sea General Trading LLC (Big Sea) whose local
agent is 3rd Accused, Richard Jakpa and which company was to
supply the 200 ambulances to the Government, even though that
company was unknown to the Cabinet and Parliamentary approvals regarding the transaction.
He said by the terms of the agreement, advance payment for the contract
was prohibited.
“Payment for the vehicles was stated in the agreement to be through letters of credit established for
twenty-five percent of the Contract Price upon the delivery of
every fifty (50) Ambulance Vehicles.”
Mr.Davies noted that on August 7, 2014, in disregard of the financing arrangement for the transaction approved by both Cabinet and the Parliament of Ghana, 1st accused, Cassiel Ato Forson authorised the Bank of Ghana to “urgently establish the letters of credit for the supply of
50 ambulances amounting to EUR3,950,000.00, representing 25
percent of the contract sum”.
“At this time, not a single ambulance
had been delivered. On August 12, 2014, 1st accused also directed the Controller
and Accountant-General to pay the sums of GHC806,688.75
representing bank charges covering the establishment of letters of
credit for the supply of 50 ambulances, and further directed for the
amount to be charged against the Capital Expenditure Vote for
the Ministry of Health,” he said.
He further added “Ladies and Gentlemen, all these directives by 1st accused,Cassiel Ato Forson were contrary to the agreement for the
supply of the ambulances as well as the Parliamentary approval regarding the financing of the transaction. It is also
important to note, that Ato Forson’s authorisation of payment for
the transaction was without any request from the Ministry of Health. In fact, the Ministry of Health had asked Big Sea to stop producing the ambulances as there was no valid contract
regarding the transaction.”
He indicated that in spite of that, Ato Forson without cause, proceeded to authorise payment for the ambulances.
” Pursuant to the unlawful directives of 1st accused, Ato Forson, Big
Sea shipped 30 vehicles in three consignments between
October, 2014 and February, 2015, which were fundamentally
defective and lacking in the basic requirements for an ambulance. This was confirmed by a letter written by the then Minister for Health, Dr. Alex Segbefia and other assessments by
the National Ambulance Service,” he said.
Mr. Davies further added that “in point of fact, Alex Segbefia, in a letter to Big Sea, described the ambulances as “ordinary vans” – to wit, trotro. These vehicles were never used and could not be used as ambulances during the Mahama Administration.”
Following the change of Government in 2017, he said investigations commenced and statements were taken from several people including the incumbent Speaker of Parliament, Mr. Kwaku Agyeman-Mensah, Madam Sherry Ayittey (Deceased) and Dr. Alex
Segbefia, all of whom were former Health Ministers as well as 1st
Accused, Cassiel Ato Forson and other persons such as the 3rd Accused.
“Out of these many people, the Attorney-General, convinced that
the willful act of Cassiel Ato Forson had resulted in a financial loss of 2.37 million euros to the state, charged him before the high court together with Sylvester Anemana, former chief Director of the Ministry of Health and Richard Jakpa a businessman, for causing financial loss, abetment t causing financial loss and
misapplying public property,” he revealed.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The Ghana Tourism Development Company Limited (GTD) in collaboration with the Department of Organisation and Human Resource Management, University of Ghana Business School (UGBS) has marked the 2026 World Safety Day Celebration in Accra.
The event held on Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at the Cedi Conference Centre, Legon was under the theme “Good Psychosocial Working Environment: A Pathway to Thriving Workers and Strong Organizations.”
The day is observed globally to promote safe and healthy working conditions and to raise awareness about both physical and psychological risks at the workplace.
The event formed part of efforts by stakeholders to deepen national conversations on workplace safety, particularly the growing concern about psychosocial well being.
In his keynote address, the Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, Dr Abdul Rashid Hassan Pelpuo stressed that workers must not be treated as machines but as human beings with dignity, rights and families.
He explained that unsafe work environments marked by fear, harassment, intimidation and excessive pressure reduce productivity and weaken organisations.
He noted that although physical hazards such as faulty equipment and unsafe buildings remain a concern, psychological risks including excessive workload, bullying, job insecurity and toxic communication are equally dangerous and must be addressed.
According to him, psychological hazards are real, measurable and preventable, and should be treated with the same urgency as physical risks.
He maintained that safe and healthy working conditions are not a luxury but a fundamental right that supports productivity and social justice.
Dr Pelpuo further stated that the government remains committed to strengthening occupational safety and health systems, adding that worker wellbeing is a core responsibility of leadership and not a public relations issue.
He urged employers to create environments where dignity is protected, and workers are empowered to speak without fear.
The Dean of University of Ghana Business School, Prof Ernest Y Tweneboah Koduah noted that the school is committed to shaping a better world of work that is equitable, productive and sustainable.
He announced that the school has secured accreditation from the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission to introduce a programme in organisational health and safety.
He explained that gaps in workplace safety in Ghana are linked to weak enforcement, underreporting and limited professional training.
He added that the new programme will equip graduates with the skills to prioritise employee wellbeing as a key organisational responsibility.
Prof Tweneboah Koduah urged organisations to assess psychosocial risks, invest in human resource capacity and create environments where workers can openly discuss mental health concerns.
He emphasised that collaboration between academia and industry is essential to addressing workplace safety challenges.
Delivering remarks on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, the Registrar of the University of Ghana, Emelia Naa Kwantsua Agyei Mensah described the event as historic, noting that it is the first time the university is marking the global observance.
She explained that the focus on psychosocial wellbeing reflects current realities in the world of work.
She stated that employee health, including mental and emotional wellbeing, directly affects productivity, morale and institutional performance.
Mrs Agyei Mensah added that the university is committed to creating a safe and supportive environment for staff and students, beyond minimum legal requirements.
She called on leaders to reflect on the kind of workplaces they create and to prioritise the wellbeing of employees.
CEO of the GTDC, Prof Kobby on his part noted that its participation aligns with its commitment under the Riyadh Declaration, which calls on member states to improve infrastructure and public safety, as well as enhance services, transport, connectivity and accessibility.
He indicated that the company intends to use the platform to highlight Ghana’s readiness to implement the declaration, with a strong focus on worker safety and wellbeing as a foundation for sustainable tourism development.
The event brought together policymakers, academics, industry players and students to discuss strategies for improving workplace safety and promoting healthier work environments across the country.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Ghana Armed Forces has confirmed that an escort convoy protecting civilians was attacked in Binduri in the Upper East Region, leaving three people dead.
In a press release issued on April 27, 2026, the military said the convoy, which was escorting about 140 civilians from Bawku to Bolgatanga, came under gunfire from unknown attackers.
It said the attackers shot at the convoy several times, killing three of the civilians being escorted and injuring one other person.
According to the statement, soldiers returned fire and were able to repel the attack. In the process, seven of the assailants were killed.
The military added that during a follow-up operation, weapons and ammunition were retrieved from a suspect who had taken refuge in a mosque.
The items included a G3 rifle, two loaded magazines, and additional rounds of ammunition.
It said ten other suspects have been arrested and are assisting with investigations.
The Ghana Armed Forces cautioned the public against engaging the military or any security agency during operations.
It extended condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and wished the injured person a speedy recovery.
By: Jacob Aggrey
