I’ll petition OSP for criminal investigation into ‘shady’ $34.9 million ambulance spare parts deal — Ablakwa

North Tongu Member of Parliament Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa says he intends to file a petition with the Office of the Special Prosecutor this week to investigate a $34.9 million government contract for ambulance spare parts.

In a social media post on Monday, July 22, Mr Ablakwa alleged the deal between the government and a company called Service Ghana Auto Group Limited "reeks of corruption and is against public interest."

The contract, approved last February by the then Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, is for spare parts for 307 ambulances imported in 2019 at a cost of $54 million.

Mr Ablakwa has revealed that the $34.9 million contract amounts to over $113,000 per ambulance for spare parts, which he says is "more than the value of a new fully equipped Mercedes Benz ambulance."

Despite a recent Auditor General's report finding Service Ghana Auto Group inflated invoices in previous deals, the government still awarded them this massive new contract, Ablakwa claims.

"One wonders if the ambulances were procured to save lives or serve as an unbridled cash cow for corrupt politicians?" he asked.

The lawmaker says his petition will call on the OSP to conduct a criminal investigation into "this sordid affair" that could be "recklessly and criminally causing real financial loss."