Businessman Defends Government Ceasing Dealings with His Company After Contract

In the ongoing legal proceedings concerning an ambulance procurement deal, Richard Jakpa, the Executive Chairman of Jakpa Business Limited (JBL), has provided testimony indicating that his company, acting as an agent for Big Sea, withdrew from the transaction once Big Sea finalized the contract with the government. The case, which also involves the Minority Leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, centers on allegations of causing financial loss to the state in a deal worth €2.37 million.According to Jakpa’s testimony in the High Court, JBL was not party to the contract between the government and Big Sea for the supply of 200 ambulances and related accessories. He clarified that the government ceased its engagement with JBL after the contract was signed with Big Sea. Therefore, it was mutually understood that JBL’s relationship with the government would terminate upon Big Sea’s contract execution.Jakpa emphasized that JBL did not sign as a supplier in the contract and was not obligated to fulfill any delivery arrangements for the ambulances. The contract neither mandated any payments to JBL nor outlined any responsibilities for the company regarding the ambulance delivery. Consequently, Jakpa asserted that JBL bore no responsibility to the government regarding the quality or quantity of the ambulances supplied by Big Sea.He further explained that any obligations Big Sea had under the contract would pertain solely to the agency agreement between Big Sea and JBL, not to the contract for ambulance procurement with the government.The case has been adjourned to a later date, and both Jakpa and Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson have pleaded not guilty to the charges leveled against them. The allegations stem from a proposal initiated in 2009 by Jakpa’s company, in collaboration with Big Sea, to supply ambulances to the government, a venture approved by Parliament in subsequent years. However, discrepancies arose when the delivered ambulances were found to be unfit for their intended purpose, prompting legal action.In conclusion, Jakpa’s testimony offers insights into the contractual dynamics and underscores the complexity of the case, which involves intricate financial transactions and contractual arrangements between multiple parties.