Richard Jakpa, the third accused in the ongoing ambulance trial, testified that the ambulances delivered were not fit for purpose because they were not ready for use.
Richard Jakpa and Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson are on trial for their alleged involvement in the purchase of the ambulances, which the prosecution claims caused financial loss to the state.
During cross-examination, Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame referenced letters from government appointees in the former Mahama administration to support the claim that the ambulances were defective from the onset.
He cited a letter from former Minister of Health Alex Segbefia, dated August 10, 2015, indicating that 30 ambulances did not meet the specifications.
Jakpa countered that the letter was irrelevant because, following its receipt, the government sent a delegation to Dubai to negotiate solutions to the issues with the ambulances.
This meeting resulted in an addendum, signed by both parties, addressing the implementation challenges.
The Attorney General maintained that the defects identified in the ambulances delivered in December 2014 were not rectified by the previous government, asserting that the ambulances were unsuitable.
Jakpa argued that the Ghanaian government was only obligated to clear and park the ambulances for safekeeping until they were handed over, citing a warranty that prohibited their use until the official handover.
He reiterated that the ambulances were unfit for purpose because they were not ready for use.
