Service Ghana Auto Group hasn’t received any payment – BoG source

The Bank of Ghana (BoG) is yet to pay an amount of US$10 million to the Service Ghana Auto Group for spare parts for ambulances in the country, a highly placed source at the central bank has said.

According to the source, no payment has been made so far because there has not been a demand for such an action to be effected.

“We’ve established the letter of credit (LC) in favour of Service Ghana Auto Group for US$10 million,” the BoG source said.

“We confirm that there has not been any payment on the LC as we’re yet to receive any call or demand on it,” the source said.

This confirmation completely dismisses claims made by the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa that the government already made payment for the “spare parts for ambulance deal”.

Ablakwa alleged that the deal was hastily approved by the then Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta five days before his removal from office and claimed that US$10 million had already been paid to the Service Ghana Auto Group.

However, a statement released on Thursday (25 July 2024) by the Ministry of Health said the contract was originally signed by the now-defunct Ministry of Special Development Initiatives with Service Auto Group Ghana Limited.

According to the statement, the then Finance Minister Ofori-Atta acted only upon the request of the Health Ministry after the Ministry of Special Development Initiatives was dissolved.

The contract with Service Auto Group Ghana Limited was for the provision of after-sales service and maintenance for 307 Mercedes Benz Sprinter 315 CDI ambulances.

The Health Ministry also clarified that no payment has been made yet. “The Ministry of Health would like to clarify that the Service Provider, Ghana Auto Group Limited, has not been paid an amount of US$34.9 million as widely reported,” the statement added.

The Ministry of Health said it is committed to ensuring a sustainable maintenance regime for all fleets procured for the National Ambulance Service to provide reliable, efficient, and safe emergency medical services.

Read the full statement from the Health Ministry below: