The unfolding “Ambulance Spare Parts Scandal” in Ghana has taken a dramatic turn with the alleged flight of three key figures implicated in the controversy just days before the December 7, 2024, general elections. North Tongu MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, a vocal critic of the alleged corruption, has identified these individuals as Stephen Okoro, Frank Agyekum Boateng, and Vivian Oppong Kyekyeku, asserting their connection to a scheme involving inflated contracts and preferential treatment for a company linked to President Akufo-Addo’s daughters, Gyankroma and Edwina. Ablakwa’s revelations, based on what he describes as “unimpeachable tracking and impeccable parliamentary oversight,” suggest a concerted effort to evade accountability just as the nation headed to the polls.
The details of their departures paint a picture of carefully timed exits. Okoro, described as a business associate of the President’s daughters, reportedly left Ghana on November 27, 2024, aboard a British Airways flight to the UK, utilizing both Nigerian and Ghanaian passports. Boateng, another central figure in the alleged scheme, is said to have flown to Washington, D.C., on November 26 via United Airlines. Kyekyeku, linked to Luxury World Auto Group Limited, departed earlier, on August 31, 2024, on a Delta flight to New York, using both Ghanaian and US passports. The timing of these departures, particularly the proximity to the elections, raises suspicions of a deliberate attempt to avoid scrutiny and potential legal consequences.
At the heart of the scandal lies a $34.9 million deal for ambulance spare parts, allegedly orchestrated to benefit Service Ghana Auto Group Limited, a company purportedly connected to Okoro and indirectly to the President’s daughters. The Auditor-General’s findings have reportedly unearthed a series of procurement breaches, including inflated invoices and contracts awarded before the company’s official incorporation, raising serious questions about the transparency and legality of the entire process. These findings suggest a deliberate manipulation of the system to favor a specific entity, potentially at the expense of public funds.
The scale of the alleged financial impropriety is staggering. Service Ghana Auto Group is reported to have received payments totaling GHS115.3 million (Ghanaian Cedis) between 2020 and 2023, along with an additional $10 million in February 2024. This occurred while other legitimate contractors reportedly struggled to receive payment, highlighting the preferential treatment allegedly afforded to Service Ghana Auto Group. Furthermore, the procurement of 307 ambulances under a separate $54.3 million deal is also under scrutiny, with Ablakwa alleging an inflation of over $29.7 million, a figure he claims surpasses the actual cost of the ambulances. This raises concerns about the blatant disregard for financial prudence and the potential embezzlement of significant public resources.
In response to these revelations, Ablakwa has filed a petition with the Office of the Special Prosecutor, seeking a thorough investigation into the matter. He has also called upon Ghana’s international partners to assist in tracking down the three individuals who have fled the country, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation in combating cross-border financial crimes. His declaration, “They can run, but they surely can’t hide. Judgment day has come,” underscores his determination to pursue justice and hold those responsible accountable.
Ablakwa’s actions frame the scandal as a case of “nepotistic state capture,” alleging the exploitation of public office for private gain and the erosion of public trust. His vow to fight this “blatant corruption” signals a broader struggle against what he perceives as systemic corruption within the government. The implications of this scandal extend beyond the immediate financial losses. It raises fundamental questions about governance, accountability, and the integrity of public institutions in Ghana. The outcome of the investigations and any subsequent legal proceedings will have significant implications for the country’s political landscape and the fight against corruption.
