Proceedings during the trial of the Minority Leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, on Thursday, June 27, 2024, were reportedly interrupted on several occasions by erratic cuts in the power supply, known locally as ‘dumsor’.
According to a report by myjoyonline.com, the frequency of the power cuts was so much that the judge was worried it would affect the proceedings.
The lights went out on several occasions during the proceeding, where the prosecution was cross-examining the third accused in the case, Richard Jakpa.
The frequent power cuts resulted in delays and pauses at some points during the proceedings, frustrating both the legal teams and those in attendance.
Efforts to continue the proceedings during the outages were largely ineffective, leading to repeated stops and starts.
The trial judge, Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe, during one of the breaks caused by the power outages, expressed her concern about the impact of the disruptions on the trial.
She highlighted that the constant interruptions were not only affecting the efficiency of the proceedings but also the concentration and effectiveness of the arguments being presented.
The judge added that Thursday’s proceedings could be forced to end as the outages could damage some machines.
About Dr. Ato Forson’s Trial:
Dr. Ato Forson, a former Chief Director at the Ministry of Health, Sylvester Anemana, and a private businessman, Richard Jakpa, are standing trial for allegedly wilfully causing financial loss of €2.37 million to the state through a contract to purchase 200 ambulances for the Ministry of Health.
The trial of the former deputy minister and the two others began on January 18, 2022, before the court presided over by Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe, a Court of Appeal Judge sitting as an additional High Court Judge.
They have pleaded not guilty to the five counts of wilfully causing financial loss to the state, abetment of crime, contravention of the Public Procurement Act, and intentional misapplication of public property.
In March 2024, the state opted to discontinue the case against the former Chief Director at the Ministry, who is currently undergoing medical care in India due to health complications.
The Minority Leader has refuted the state’s claim that the ambulances purchased do not meet the required specifications and are therefore “not fit for purpose.”
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