Ambulance trial: Ato Forson requests live coverage of court proceedings

Minority Leader Dr Cassiel Ato Forson has requested the Chief Justice to permit live coverage of subsequent proceedings of the ongoing ambulance trial.

A letter from his lawyers addressed to the Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkornoo, said the request is motivated by a deep commitment to transparency and open justice in light of allegations against the Attorney-General, Godfred Dame.

Richard Jakpa, a third accused in the ongoing ambulance trial, alleged that the Attorney-General had repeatedly sought his assistance to implicate Dr Ato Forson, also an accused person.

The Minority Leader stated, “The allegations against the Attorney-General are deeply concerning. If true, they represent a serious breach of public trust and a threat to the integrity of our judicial system. It is imperative that these allegations be thoroughly investigated and that the public be allowed to witness the proceedings firsthand.”

He believes a live broadcast would, among other things, ensure that the public has full access to the evidence and arguments presented in court.

According to him, this would allow citizens to form their own informed opinions about the case and hold the participants accountable for their actions.

Additionally, live broadcasting, he says, would promote transparency and accountability within the legal system and serve as a powerful deterrent against future misconduct.

Dr Ato Forson, a former Deputy Finance Minister, has pleaded not guilty to causing a €2.3 million loss to the state in an ambulance deal.

He is on trial with two others — Sylvester Anemana, a former Chief Director at the Ministry of Health and Richard Jakpa, a businessman, who have also pleaded not guilty.

The trio were dragged to an Accra High Court over a deal to purchase 200 ambulances for the country between 2014 and 2016.

The accused persons are to answer to five counts of wilfully causing financial loss to the state, abetment to wilfully causing financial loss to the state, contravention of the Public Procurement Act, and intentionally misapplying public property.

Below is the letter addressed to the Chief Justice.