Ambulance case: State discontinues trial of Dr. Forson and Richard Jakpa 

The Attorney-General has officially discontinued the trial against Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, Minister of Finance, Richard Jakpa, and a third individual in the Ambulance procurement case.

Dr. Dominic Ayine, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, announced that the Republic would no longer pursue its appeal against the Court of Appeal’s judgment in favor of the trio.

In a letter dated January 23, 2025, Dr. Ayine stated that although the Republic had previously expressed its intention to appeal the judgment delivered on July 30, 2024, it now seeks to withdraw the appeal. He further confirmed that all proceedings related to the case would be halted from the date of the notice.

The Court of Appeal had acquitted and discharged Dr. Forson and Jakpa, a businessman, of all charges filed by the State in the Ambulance procurement trial. The judgment, reached by a 2:1 majority, upheld the submission of no case filed by the defendants at the High Court.

Justice Kweku Tawiah Ackah-Boafo, a member of the Court of Appeal, stated that the prosecution failed to provide sufficient evidence, and the trial judge erred in requiring Dr. Forson and Mr. Jakpa to open their defense, as no positively proven facts were established against them.

In March 2023, the High Court had ordered Dr. Forson, Jakpa, and Dr. Sylvester Anemana, a former Chief Director at the Ministry of Health, to present their defense after a prima facie case was established against them. They were charged with causing financial loss to the State. However, the State later filed a nolle prosequi to discontinue the charges against Dr. Anemana, who is currently receiving medical treatment abroad.

Dr. Forson was granted self-recognizance bail of GH¢3 million for allegedly causing financial loss of 2,370,000 euros to the State. He also faced an additional charge of intentionally misapplying public property, contrary to section 1(2) of the Public Property Protection Act, 1977 (SMCD 140).

Justice Ackah-Boafo ruled that there was no connection between the evidence presented and the events that would justify calling Mr. Jakpa to open his defense. As a result, the appeal filed by both Dr. Forson and Mr. Jakpa succeeded, and the High Court’s order was set aside.

The Attorney General’s Department, led by Mr. Godfred Dame, had initially filed an appeal against the Court of Appeal’s decision to acquit and discharge Dr. Forson and Jakpa. The Department petitioned the Supreme Court, seeking to overturn the Court of Appeal’s ruling and compel the accused individuals to continue their defense at the trial High Court. However, with the latest decision, all further legal actions in this case have been officially discontinued.