By Beatrice Oppon
Minister of Health, Kwaku Agyeman-Manu who was expected to testify on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in the ongoing trial of a former Deputy Minister of Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson and two others failed to appear in Court.
He is said to have been away for an emergency meeting on the Covax Vaccines.
Director of Public Prosecutions, Yvonne Attakorah Oboubisa, told the Court that the Minister gave indication of an urgent meeting he had to attend, followed by a COVAX Board meeting to be held outside the jurisdiction.
The trial has accordingly been adjourned to June 28, 2022.
The Presiding Judge, Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe advised the prosecution to prepare the next witness in case Mr. Agyeman-Manu is unable to avail himself on the next adjourned date.
She however cautioned that she will not grant any further adjournment based on the unavailability of the Minister of Health.
Dr. Ato Forson together with a former Chief Director at the Ministry of Health Sylvester Anemana and a Businessman, Richard Jakpa have been charged with five counts including willfully causing financial loss to the State, abetment of crime, contravention of the Public Procurement Act and intentionally misapplying public property.
They are alleged to have caused the State to lose an amount of 2.37 million Euros in a deal to purchase some 200 ambulances for the country between 2014 and 2016.
