Ato Forson’s Trial Should Never Have Occurred – Mahama

Former President and National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, has stated that the trial of Minority Leader Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson regarding the ambulance purchase should never have commenced.

In an exclusive interview with TV3’s Komla Klutse on Tuesday, July 30, Mahama expressed his long-held belief in Dr. Forson’s innocence and his sense of vindication following the court ruling. “I think that it shows the vindication that [Ato Forson] is innocent. We believe that this prosecution should never have taken place. Indeed, it [Court of Appeal’s decision] came as a surprise because I had quite forgotten about the appeal.”

Mahama explained that the appeal was lodged some time ago after a no-case petition was rejected by the High Court, leading them to appeal. “So it came as quite a pleasant surprise. But it shows that we still have justice in this country, we can work to make the judiciary what we want it to be,” Mahama added.

On Tuesday, July 30, the High Court did not proceed with the ambulance case due to the Court of Appeal’s decision to acquit and discharge Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson and Richard Jakpa. The High Court had initially ordered Dr. Forson and others to open their defense after the Attorney General’s office established a prima facie case against them in the 2.37 million Euro ambulance case.

Dr. Forson, along with Sylvester Anemana, a former Chief Director of the Ministry of Health, and businessman Richard Jakpa, faced charges of willfully causing financial loss to the state. Their defense argued that the ambulances purchased could not be used as intended.

After the prosecution closed its case, Dr. Forson’s lawyers filed a submission of no case. However, on March 30, 2023, the presiding judge ruled that the accused should open their defense. The Court of Appeal, on July 30, overturned this decision, stating that the prosecution failed to provide sufficient evidence and that the trial judge erred in calling on Dr. Forson to open his defense. The court noted that any financial loss was due to the Health Ministry’s recklessness and not the accused.

The panel of three justices thus acquitted and discharged the accused persons, emphasizing that the Ministry of Health should be held accountable for the financial mismanagement.