By Bright Simons, Honorary Vice President of IMANI-Africa, has criticized the rationale behind the prosecution of Minority Leader Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson in the ongoing ambulance trial, deeming it “futile” and inept.
Dr. Ato Forson, a former Deputy Finance Minister, along with two others, is facing trial for allegedly causing financial loss to the state regarding the importation of 30 ambulances.
This relates to a 2012 contract between the Ministry of Health and Dubai-based firm, Big Sea Limited, for the acquisition of 200 ambulances.
The prosecution alleges that Dr. Ato Forson issued letters of credit without proper authorization from his then superior, Finance Minister Seth Terkper.
However, Mr. Terkper testified in court affirming that he did indeed authorize Dr. Ato Forson to establish the letters of credit.
The proceedings are ongoing, with the third accused, Richard Jakpa, currently undergoing cross-examination.
Mr. Simons expressed his views on the issue via social media, posting on X on Saturday, May 25.
He perceives the case as a means to suppress the Minority in Parliament.
He emphasizes that letters of credit serve as guarantees for payment, rather than direct payments, contingent upon meeting specific conditions.
“I’ve racked my brains for eons & still can’t understand why this fact so obvious to every business person isn’t clear to Ghana’s Attorney General. The case against the Minority Leader in Ghana’s Parliament for authorising an LC is INCOMPETENT. Not just bcos of this MP’s point.”
“But more importantly because of what an LC is. An LC is not a simple instruction to pay. It is a guarantee to honor or REFUSE payment if CERTAIN CONDITIONS are met/NOT MET.
“This is a pure political prosecution to muzzle the opposition in Parliament. Luckily, it isn’t working,” he posted.
As the cross-examination of Richard Jakpa unfolds, the discourse surrounding the validity and underlying motives behind the charges against Dr. Ato Forson and the other defendants escalates further.
