The Ministry of Health has issued a response to accusations made by Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, concerning a $34.9 million contract for ambulance spare parts.

In a statement dated Thursday, July 25, the Ministry clarified that the contract in question was initially signed by the now-defunct Ministry of Special Development Initiatives with Service Auto Group Ghana Limited.

This contract, established for the after-sales service and maintenance of 307 Mercedes Benz Sprinter 315 CDI ambulances procured by the government in 2019, has come under scrutiny following Ablakwa’s allegations of potential corruption. Ablakwa has since taken the matter to the Office of the Special Prosecutor.

The former Deputy Education Minister accused the Finance Minister of hastily approving the deal just five days before his removal from office, claiming that $10 million had already been paid to Service Auto Group Ghana Limited.

Ablakwa’s actions aim to safeguard the remaining funds, questioning the legitimacy of the company, which was incorporated on April 24, 2020, a year after the ambulances were commissioned.

Ablakwa expressed concerns about the company's capacity to service the ambulances and highlighted troubling findings by the Auditor-General regarding the company's credibility. He also alleged a connection between President Akufo-Addo's daughters and the company, suggesting that one of the directors is a close business associate of the President’s daughters.

In its statement, the Ministry of Health did not directly address the corruption allegations but clarified that the Finance Minister acted on the Health Ministry's request after the dissolution of the Ministry of Special Development Initiatives.

The Ministry emphasized that no $34.9 million payment had been made to Ghana Auto Group Limited as reported.

"The Ministry of Health would like to clarify that the Service Provider, Ghana Auto Group Limited, has not been paid an amount of $34.9 million as widely reported," the statement read.

The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining a sustainable service regime for the National Ambulance Service to ensure efficient and safe emergency medical services. Additionally, it expressed readiness to support any efforts aimed at bringing further clarity to the issue in the public interest.

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