The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has released what it claims to be an audio recording of a conversation between the Attorney General, Godfred Dame, and the third accused person in the controversial ambulance purchase trial, Richard Jakpa1. The audio allegedly captures the Attorney General attempting to influence Jakpa to incriminate the first accused and Minority Leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson.
According to Jakpa’s testimony in open court, the Attorney-General engaged him at odd hours, pressuring him to build a case against Ato Forson. Jakpa expressed frustration, stating, “If he pushes me, I will open the Pandora’s box. I don’t understand why the A-G will accuse me of defending A1 [Ato Forson] when I’m here to defend myself” during court proceedings on May 23, 2024.
In response, the Deputy Attorney-General, Alfred Tuah Yeboah, dismissed Jakpa’s claims. The office asserted that Jakpa had repeatedly proposed plea bargaining or plea negotiations to the Republic through the Attorney-General, which were not accepted1.
At a press conference on May 28, the NDC played a 16-minute audio recording purportedly containing the voices of the Attorney General and Jakpa. The party also publicized WhatsApp chats between the third accused and the A-G as part of their evidence.
Background of the Ambulance Purchase Trial
The case revolves around the purchase of ambulances during the administration of former President John Evans Atta Mills. In 2009, President Mills announced plans to expand the operations of the National Ambulance Service by purchasing new ambulances. Jakpa, a local representative of Big Sea General Trading Ltd (a Dubai-based company), proposed financing from Stanbic Bank for the supply of 200 ambulances to the government. Parliament approved the financing agreement, and the deal moved forward.
However, the prosecution alleges that 10 of the ambulances delivered under the deal in 2014 were fundamentally defective, with some lacking essential medical equipment. This situation resulted in a financial loss to the state.