Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, the Health Minister, failed or was unable to attend in court today, June 16, 2022, as planned to testify against Cassiel Ato Forson, a former deputy Finance Minister, and two others accused of inflicting the state financial damage.
Mr. Agyeman-Manu was supposed to testify in chief today in the 3.95 million Euro financial loss case, but he was believed to be away on official state business.
Cassiel Ato Forson, Sylvester Anamane, and Richard Jakpa are facing charges related to the procurement of fifty (50) ambulances that were deemed inadequate and unfit for their intended use.
The Director of Public Prosecutions, Yvonne Attakorah Oboubisa, told Justice Afia Serwaa Asare-Botwe’s court that the Health Minister gave an indication of an urgent meeting he had to attend, followed by a COVAX Board meeting which was to take him out of the country.
According to the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr. Agyeman-Manu also gave indication he will be available later this month on the 28th day.
The Presiding Judge, Her Ladyship Asare-Botwe, was reluctant in adjourning the case but was eventually persuaded to, cautioning that it would be the last time an adjournment would be granted on the basis of the unavailability of the Health Minister.
Her Ladyship advised the prosecution to prepare another witness in readiness to continue the case should the Health Minister not be available himself for the trial on the next adjourned date.
Justice Afia Serwaa Asare Botwe has thus adjourned the case to June 28, 2022, for the Health Minister’s evidence in chief to be taken.
