Minority Leader Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson
Traditional rulers from the Central Region trooped to the Accra High Court to show support for Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, the Minority Leader in Parliament, who is being prosecuted for causing financial loss to the state in the ambulance case when he was Deputy Minister for Finance.
The presence of the traditional rulers in the court on Thursday, June 27, 2024, comes after the leadership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Central Region criticised the chiefs for their silence on what they describe as the persecution of their son, Dr. Ato Forson.
According to myjoyonline.com, the chiefs, dressed in their regal attire, were a prominent and dignified presence in the courtroom, drawing considerable attention from the public and the media.
The show of solidarity from the chiefs underscores the importance of the case to the people of the Central Region and highlights the influential role that traditional leaders continue to play in Ghanaian society.
The presence of these traditional rulers in court was seen as a powerful gesture, demonstrating their belief in Dr. Ato Forson's innocence and their support for his leadership.
About Dr. Ato Forson’s Trial:
Dr. Ato Forson, a former Chief Director at the Ministry of Health, Sylvester Anemana, and a private businessman, Richard Jakpa, are standing trial for allegedly wilfully causing financial loss of €2.37 million to the state through a contract to purchase 200 ambulances for the Ministry of Health.
The trial of the former deputy minister and the two others began on January 18, 2022, before the court presided over by Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe, a Court of Appeal Judge sitting as an additional High Court Judge.
They have pleaded not guilty to the five counts of wilfully causing financial loss to the state, abetment of crime, contravention of the Public Procurement Act, and intentional misapplication of public property.
In March 2024, the state opted to discontinue the case against the former Chief Director at the Ministry, who is currently undergoing medical care in India due to health complications.
The Minority Leader has refuted the state's claim that the ambulances purchased do not meet the required specifications and are therefore "not fit for purpose."
BAI/NOQ
Catch up on this week's episode of The Lowdown on GhanaWeb TV as we discussed the topic, Medical Confidentiality. Watch the video below:
Ghana’s leading digital news platform, GhanaWeb, in conjunction with the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, is embarking on an aggressive campaign which is geared towards ensuring that parliament passes comprehensive legislation to guide organ harvesting, organ donation, and organ transplantation in the country.
