Source: newsthemegh.com
Judge Affia Serwaa Asare-Botwe of the Court of Appeal has stated that she will do everything in her power to wrap up Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson’s trial by December 31.
In the ambulance transaction case, Dr. Forson and Dr. Sylvester Anemama, a former Chief Director of the minister, are accused of creating a financial loss of €2.37 million to the state. Justice Asare-Botwe is presently acting as a High Court judge with extra responsibilities.
According to the judge, a decision will be made in February 2024.
Mr. Edudzi Tamekloe asked to be excused from the Minority Leader’s participation in the 2024 Budget Review during the court hearings.
On November 21, however, Justice Asare-Botwe rejected the appeal and declared that the trial will continue without the Minority Leader present.
Both Drs. Forson and Anemana entered not guilty pleas to all counts of intentionally causing the state to suffer financial loss.
On August 12, 2014, Dr. Forson wrote to the Controller and Accountant-General, allowing the release of GH¢806,688.75 to the Minister of Health for the payment of bank charges for the establishment of Letters of Credit (LCs) for the supply of 50 Mercedes Benz ambulances and related services, according to Mr. Godred Yeboah Dame, Attorney-General and Minister of Justice.
Furthermore, Dr. Forson gave the order to charge the LCs to the Ministry of Health’s budget, which went against the Parliament’s approval of the money for the ambulance supply.
Based on the authority of Dr. Forson’s letters to the Bank of Ghana dated August 7 and 12, 2014, the Controller and Accountant-General approved the creation of an irreversible transferable LC in the amount of €3,950,000 in Big Sea’s favor.
According to Mr. Dame, thirty ambulances had already reached Ghana by February 2015; however, upon post-delivery examination, it was discovered that the ambulances lacked medical equipment and had other issues.