The group said they have taken notice of the damning details contained in the report of the nine-member Parliamentary Committee set up to investigate the purchase of Sputnik-V vaccines by the Health Minister, Hon. Kwaku Agyemang-Manu.
The parliamentary committee that investigated the deal said in its report which was subsequently debated on the floor of Parliament concluded among other things that, the Minister, Mr Agyemang-Manu failed to seek prior Parliamentary approval in accordance with Article 181(5) of the 1992Constitution or adopt due emergency processes under a certificate of urgency in accordance with the Standing Orders of Parliament.
The Minister also failed to secure approval from the board of the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) under Sections 40 and 41 of Act 663, before executing the international agreements.
“The Committee further found that, Hon Kwaku Agyemang Manu lied under oath when he denied knowledge of payment of any amount to the Quatari intermediary by name Sheihk Al Maktoum, yet in fact, an amount of $2.85 million, a Cedi equivalent of GH¢16,331,640.00 representing 50 per cent of the contract sum of $5.7 million, has been paid to the said intermediary.
“As opined in the Committee’s report, it has become abundantly clear that, the Minister only sought to fleece the Ghanaian taxpayer by agreeing to the unit cost of $19 per dose of the Sputnik-V vaccine, which amounts to 90% and $18.50(80.5%), which were being offered by Al Maktoum and S. L. Global respectively, as against the factory price of $10. Aside committing perjury in view of the above, the Minister also acted in bad faith which occasioned a huge financial loss to the State through his acts and omissions, and must therefore face the consequences thereof.
“In view of the above, ReCPAG wish to register its disappointment in the Alexander Afenyo Markin’s led committee for failing to recommend the appropriate sanctions of firing and further prosecution of the Health Minister in their report aside urging the Ministry of Finance to take steps to retrieve monies paid to Sheik Ahmed Dalmook Al Maktoum.
“Furthermore, it is reprehensible and unpardonable to note that the Hon. Minister of Health, who once chaired the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament as an astute legislator and a Chartered Accountant, could willfully and flagrantly disregarded constitutional requirement and procurement processes in such egregious manner.”
Source: Laud Nartey|3news.com|Ghana
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