The final day of Richard Jakpa’s cross-examination by the Attorney-General in the ongoing ambulance trial witnessed some heated moments, but perhaps the most significant was between Richard Jakpa and the High Court judge, Justice Afia Serwaah Asare-Botwe, over Jakpa’s tendency to repeat points already stated.
During the process, Justice Asare-Botwe had to remind Richard Jakpa, the Chief Executive Officer of Jakpa@business, that his style of answering questions was hindering the swift progress of the trial.
Justice Asare-Botwe often implored Richard Jakpa, whose company brokered the deal between the government of Ghana and Mid Company Limited for the ambulances, to refrain from referencing documents submitted as evidence, as he was causing unnecessary delays.
However, there were moments when Justice Asare-Botwe lost her patience and had to reprimand Jakpa for not adhering to her requests.
The tension arose when Richard Jakpa was responding to a question from the Attorney-General, Godfred Dame, about the quality of the ambulances and the plan for the first batch of ambulances once they arrived in Ghana.
Godfred Dame sought to establish that the ambulances arrived in the country without the full complement of accessories that make them fully functional.
Below is the discourse
Judge: Mr. Jakpa, please, you have already made reference to the document between Mid Sea and the Honorable Agyemang Mensah. Allow the Honorable Attorney General…
Jakpa cuts in: My lord, that is not the only document.
Judge: Mr. Jakpa, don’t worry. Even if you want to make reference to the document… I’m talking to you. Even if you want to make references and you don’t, the addresses are there to direct the court to all the possible exhibits the court should look at. Allow the Attorney General to ask his question.
Jakpa interjects: My Lord, I understand you, but the issue is I’m in the box, and I have to answer them.
Judge: Mr. Jakpa, it looks like you don’t want to listen to anything.
Jakpa: My Lord, I thought I wasn’t being treated fairly.
Judge: You’ve said that many times, and I have heard you. I have already insisted that when it is quarter past three, the Attorney General should stop. It is only fair then that I give him the chance to ask his questions.
Jakpa interjects: But my Lord…
Judge: (sounding angry at this point) Don’t interrupt me. I would really appreciate it if you didn’t. I have already told you also that these documents you want to keep referring to are already in evidence. This is about the 20th time I’m saying it. Your lawyer will have the opportunity to refer to them at length in their addresses, so please allow him to ask the question.
Jakpa drags Justice Asare-Botwe to Chief Justice:
A day after the cross-examination on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, Richard Jakpa has petitioned the Chief Justice over the conduct of the trial judge.
“Right from the beginning of this trial until today, I have not been treated fairly at all by the judge. I am saying that because I have written a petition to the Chief Justice on this. So, I am not speaking out of a vacuum, and it is recorded. It is documented.
“When I wrote the petition to the Chief Justice, I enumerated all the instances of bias, abuse of my human rights, denying me legal representation, and all the instances.
“Even the right to visit the washroom and the judge at times engaging me as an accused in court when I am a witness.”
The presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has openly criticised former President John Dramani Mahama’s economic management, describing it as the worst among Ghana’s Fourth Republic leaders.
According to him, during Mr. Mahama’s tenure, the economy experienced substantial setbacks across multiple sectors, marked by soaring inflation, sluggish growth, and increasing unemployment.
Speaking at the Ghana CEO Presidential Gala in Accra last Thursday, Dr. Bawumia asserted that his criticism was based on hard economic data rather than partisan views.
He contrasted this with what he described as Ghana’s improved economic trajectory under NPP leadership, asserting that Mr. Mahama’s tenure represented a “decisive failure in economic stewardship.”
Dr. Bawumia stressed that his analysis was intended to highlight the need for sound economic management and that his remarks were meant to shed light on measurable outcomes of Mr. Mahama’s policies, which he said weakened the country’s economic resilience.
The NPP presidential candidate expressed his commitment to building on the progress achieved under the Akufo-Addo administration.
He underscored the importance of data-driven policies and positioned himself as the candidate most capable of navigating Ghana through future economic challenges.
“Despite the impact of global economic challenges, it might surprise some, including the former president himself, that his administration ranks the lowest in economic performance among all Fourth Republic leaders,” Dr. Bawumia reiterated.
He continued, “Yet, he speaks about our economic performance as though his was superior.”
Business Development
Dr. Bawumia also used the opportunity to reaffirm his commitment to strengthening business development in the country, stressing that resilient businesses are foundational to a thriving economy.
He praised the role of the private sector in creating jobs, driving innovation, and fostering sustainable growth.
The NPP flagbearer detailed policies introduced by the current administration to support Ghanaian businesses, including initiatives aimed at enhancing entrepreneurship, expanding access to credit, and advancing digitalisation.
According to Dr. Bawumia, these steps are critical to building a competitive, innovative, and resilient business sector.
He promised that, if elected, he would continue to prioritise business growth in order to ensure the Ghanaian economy remains vibrant and competitive on a global scale.
“Ladies and gentlemen, as you may know, Bawumia means business! From banking to vice presidency, my commitment to business development has been unwavering.
“Strong businesses lead to a strong economy—show me a prosperous nation, and I’ll show you resilient businesses behind it,” he concluded.
The Ghana Union Movement (GUM) has criticised the New Patriotic Party (NPP), and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for “mismanaging the country” and supervising the sale of state-owned businesses bequeathed by previous governments.
The Party said the sale of state-owned factories to private individuals and failure to revive defunct state enterprises largely accounted for the growing youth employment situation that had bedeviled the country.
These were contained in a news release issued by the Party’s founder and leader, Reverend Christian Kwabena Andrews, and shared with the Ghana News Agency.
The GUM urged the youth to “be concerned about their future” and vote to break the duopoly enjoyed by the NPP and NDC for decades.
“Embracing both NDC and NPP as a party is just endorsement of the continuity of the Ghanaian predicament. Ghanaian youth must rise to vote massively against these parties, because they were the source of our problems today,” it said.
The GUM said the slow pace of development since the commencement of the Fourth Republic in 1992 justified the call for the “total overhaul” of the 1992 Constitution “considering the mess caused by both NDC and NPP government respectively.”
The Party proposed the adoption of what it termed as “Hybrid African Democracy” which it said was suitable governance model for the country.
“The current model was copied line, hook, and sinker from the West, where they have established and structured institutions to make their democracy work,” it said.
The GUM also called for downsizing of Parliament to reduce the cost of running the business of the House.
The Party said that salaries and benefits awarded to 275 Members of Parliament as well as Article 75 Office Holders “drain the national purse than building it.”
“We urge the public to vote for the Ghana Union Movement for a reliable, better Ghana with the Ghanaian youth as its core,” the Party said.
The GUM caused a stir when it placed third in the 2020 presidential election, beating the traditional Convention People’s Party, People’s National Convention, and the Progressive People’s Party.
The party garnered 105,548 votes, representing 0.805 per cent of the total ballots cast.
Rev. Andrews has indicated that the Party would build on its achievements in 2020 and affect the 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections.
The GUM has promised to establish factories in every region and operate a free port to boost economic activities and improve the living conditions of the people.
In a significant development, Ghana’s Parliament Speaker, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin is set to address the media on Wednesday, November 6, 2024.
The press conference, scheduled for 2:00 pm at the Justice D.F. Annan Auditorium, Job 600, Parliament House, aims to tackle critical issues affecting Ghana’s parliamentary democracy.
Recent Developments
Alban Bagbin’s address comes amidst significant political developments in Ghana.
As Speaker, he has played a pivotal role in shaping the country’s legislative agenda.
His leadership has been marked by efforts to strengthen parliamentary oversight and promote transparency.
The engagement seeks to provide a platform for the media to discuss pressing concerns impacting Ghana’s democratic growth.
The Speaker, Alban Bagbin, is expected to shed light on recent events that have shaped the country’s political landscape.
