The third accused person in the ongoing ambulance procurement case, Richard Jakpa, has told the court that the first set of ambulances shipped to Ghana were under warranty and were not intended for immediate use.

Mr Jakpa made this statement on Thursday, June 13, during his cross-examination by the legal team representing Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, the first accused in the case.

Jakpa explained that the ambulances were part of a shipment covered by a comprehensive warranty agreement.

He emphasised that the warranty stipulated specific conditions, including the requirement that the vehicles undergo thorough inspections and necessary adjustments before being deployed for use.

This was to ensure the ambulances met all operational standards and safety requirements.

He further detailed that the warranty agreement was known to the relevant authorities in Ghana, who were responsible for overseeing the inspection and commissioning process.

Mr Jakpa indicated that there were clear instructions that the ambulances should not be used until these procedures were completed.

This, he suggested, was a standard protocol for such deliveries to ensure the ambulances were fully functional and safe.

During his testimony, Mr Jakpa also addressed concerns raised about the readiness and condition of the ambulances upon their arrival.

He stated that any premature use of the ambulances would have violated the terms of the warranty and potentially compromised their effectiveness.

Mr Jakpa added that Big Sea, the company responsible for the shipment, is prepared to install the necessary accessories and conduct training for paramedics.

He stated that once the accessories, currently held at the port are cleared, Big Sea would proceed with these installations and training sessions, ensuring that the ambulances are fully operational and ready for government use.