The policy think tank IMANI Africa has backed calls for the institution of a criminal investigation into the procurement of Sputnik V vaccines by the Minister of Health, Kwaku Agyeman-Manu.
This follows public calls for the Health Minister to step down for breaching procurement rules in pursuing the botched Sputnik V contract.
Speaking to Karen Dodoo Antwi on the Lunch News on Asaase Radio on Monday (9 August), the president of IMANI Africa, Franklin Cudjoe, said: “Well, the whole procurement of this Sputnik V vaccine was mired in a lot of controversies.
“So, to that extent, some investigations ought to be done. We need to know what exact values were paid. We are just now obviously being told that something was paid, so some sort of inquiry is needed. I don’t think a parliamentary inquiry should be the end of it all – not at all.
“It is important to understand the rationale for circumventing all the laid- down procurement rules and, indeed, the advisory body that ought to be part of the process in order to get the vaccine. I don’t think it can be explained away that the minister was sorry, or was not thinking properly,” Cudjoe said.
Similar call
The Alliance for Social Equity and Public Accountability (ASEPA) has also petitioned the Attorney General to initiate a criminal investigation into the deal in the next two days.
The pro-NDC group wants the Health Minister and other individuals involved in the deal prosecuted if found culpable.
Ghana gets 177,600 doses of Johnson & Johnson
Meanwhile, Ghana has received a total of 177,600 doses of the Johnson & Johnson single-shot vaccines under the African Vaccine Acquisition Trust (AVAT).
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