GaDangme Association in Italy still fuming over missing Ambulance

When some members of the GaDangme Association in Italy (Emilia Romagna Region Branch), somewhere in latter part of 2009, laboured to load a 40-ft Container with hospital goods, including an ambulance, on its way to be donated to some Government Hospitals in the Greater Accra Region, Ghana, little did they know their efforts of helping a good cause will finally end in a long search of the ambulance not ending up at its final destination – Danfa Clinic in Accra.

In an increasing anger the Association has vowed to chase the case to its conclusive end in finding the missing ambulance.

The bizarre story, first reported on September 18, 2010 began in November 2009 when the Association (made up of natives from the Greater Accra Region in Ghana resident in Emilia Romagna Region - Italy) formed in January 2009 with the aim of helping with development projects in the Greater Accra Region, took a major stride to send an ambulance (Fiat Ducato), 84 beds and a number assorted hospital equipment as donations to some local Government Hospitals and Polyclinics in the Greater Accra Region – the ambulance specifically directed to be given to Danfa Clinic in Accra.

The goods loaded in the city Modena (north of Italy) made its way to the Italian sea port city Genova for shipment. According to documents from the shipping company that shipped the goods to Ghana - Maersk Line, the Container was loaded unto the vessel Cma Cgm Amber 1004 on February 13, 2010 and was discharged on February 18, 2010 in Algeciras (Spain) then reloaded unto another vessel 99N Maersk Neustadt 1003 which left Spain on February 22, 2010 and finally discharged at the Tema Port (Ghana) on March 8, 2010. It was directed by the Association its representative in Accra, Adjei Klu (of Obonu FM – Tema), should take charge of responsibilities in collaboration with the Ministry of Health in Ghana to have the goods cleared at Tema Port and distributed (details given by the Association) to specific Government Hospitals in the Greater Accra Region.

The story went on that, Adjei Klu laboured tirelessly through the Ministry of Health in Accra in his efforts to have the goods cleared – expected to be exempted from tax duties. After months to no avail to clear the Container and its goods (August 2010), some members of the Association were in Accra for holidays and took the chance to assist the documentation process to have the issue sorted out. Their efforts led them to the Port but when the Container was finally opened it was discovered the ambulance was not in though it has been stated on the Bill of Laden – the rest of the goods, however, in the Container were distorted indicating it has been tampered with. It was also noted the seal number on the Container from the Port of departure (Genova – Italy) has changed. Astonished, the Association members at a later date lodged a complaint at the Police Headquarters in Accra. Since then the case is under investigation. The Association says the Police in Ghana have requested all necessary documents from them in Italy which has been forwarded but that doesn’t seem to be helping to find the missing ambulance. It further said its patience on the matter has run out and have decided to take the case to the higher authourities in Government.

A statement from the Association’s Secretary read: “We believe the ambulance was stolen at the Tema Port in Ghana. These kinds of wicked activities by certain individuals don’t help for our nation’s development and must not go unpunished. The ambulance was meant for sick people at Danfa Clinic from where our investigation has shown pregnant women are ridden in wheelbarrows and on four-wheel carts to the hospital. Our contribution to help the community back home has been given a cruel blow by criminals who have to be arrested and dealt with severely. We will not rest till the ambulance is recovered and the culprits punished,” the statement further added. – Reggie Tagoe in Modena, Italy.