The Minority Leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has expressed his gratitude to God after the Court of Appeal acquitted and discharged him in the controversial ambulance procurement trial. 

This decision, delivered on Tuesday, July 30, also acquitted Richard Jakpa, the third accused in the case. 

The 2:1 ruling overturned the previous order from the trial High Court, which had required Dr. Ato Forson and Mr. Jakpa to present their defense.

In a social media post after the ruling, Dr. Ato Forson thanked God for his victory and quoted Romans 9:14: “What, then, shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all!”

The charges against Dr. Ato Forson and Mr. Jakpa involved allegations of causing a financial loss of €2.37 million to the State in a deal to procure ambulances for the Government of Ghana. 

The Court of Appeal's decision overturned the directive from Justice Afia Serwaa Asare Botwe of the trial High Court, which had dismissed Dr. Ato Forson's submission of no case and ordered him to open his defense.

Dr. Ato Forson had argued that there was no case for him to answer, but this submission was initially rejected by the trial judge. 

Mr. Jakpa also submitted a no-case plea, which was similarly rejected, leading him to call several witnesses in his defense.

With the Court of Appeal's ruling, Dr. Ato Forson is no longer required to open his defense in the ongoing trial, marking a significant development in the case.

The allegations against Dr. Ato Forson and Richard Jakpa, who represents Big Sea, stem from a deal to purchase 200 ambulances for Ghana between 2014 and 2016, which allegedly caused a financial loss of €2.37 million to the State.

The trial at the High Court was set to resume Tuesday afternoon, however, the court informed lawyers in the case that sitting had been adjourned.

Meanwhile, the Attorney General has announced he will appeal the Court of Appeal's ruling.

In a statement issued by the AG shortly after the ruling, Godfred Dame indicated that his office "considers the decision of the Court of Appeal to be perverse in the quest for public accountability and the rule of law. The decision clearly is heavily against the weight of the cogent evidence led by the prosecution in substantiation of all the charges against the accused persons at the trial."

The AG, who proceeded to narrate what he said are the 'relevant facts of the matter', concluded that "The Office of the Attorney-General considers the decision of the Court of Appeal grossly unfair to the nation and inimical to the fight against impunity and abuse in public office. The Office will promptly file an appeal in order to erase the effect of this erroneous decision of the Court of Appeal."