Former Minister of Health Kwaku Agyemang-Manu is expected to face criminal charges in the coming weeks over controversial COVID-19 related transactions undertaken during the pandemic, according to government officials. The disclosure was made by the Minister of State for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, who indicated that preparations for prosecution are at an advanced stage.
The planned legal action is linked primarily to the procurement of Russia’s Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccines and a separate arrangement involving Frontiers Healthcare Services, which operated the COVID-19 testing system at Kotoka International Airport during the pandemic.
The Sputnik V transaction sparked controversy in 2021 after it emerged that Ghana had agreed to purchase the vaccines through a middleman at about $19 per dose, nearly double the estimated $10 price offered by the manufacturer. A parliamentary ad hoc committee later concluded that the agreement had been signed without the required parliamentary approval and without clearance from the Public Procurement Authority.
The committee also revealed that approximately $2.85 million had been paid toward the purchase of vaccines that were ultimately not delivered, prompting the government to terminate the deal in July 2021 following intense public scrutiny.
Concerns were also raised about the airport COVID-19 testing contract involving Frontiers Healthcare Services, which reportedly earned significantly higher revenues compared with what the Ghana Airports Company Limited received during the testing programme.
Government officials say the case forms part of broader accountability efforts surrounding Ghana’s pandemic response, with prosecutors expected to file formal charges once legal preparations are completed.
Source: MyJoyOnline
Reporter: JoyNews Desk
