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We never asked NDC government to purchase new cars - Oppong Nkrumah
The previous John Mahama-led administration has been accused of illegally procuring the said vehicles for the presidency at a cost of over nine million dollars four days before leaving office.
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But speaking on Saturday, June 3, 2017, on Accra-based Citi FM, Dr Clement Apaak denied the accusations, saying that the purchase was at the request of the incoming administration.
“It’s indeed true that the said vehicles were ordered, but the request was made to our side during the transition. So if indeed the vehicles have been procured, I can say on authority that it was part of the request which was made by the incoming government.”
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But speaking on the same network on Monday, a deputy Minister of information, Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah said the claims by Dr Apaak are untrue.
He said after speaking to the Senior Minister, Osafo Marfo who was the chairman of the Transition Team of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), there was no request made towards that regard.
“There was no such conversation even and this morning [June 5, 2017] I’m speaking to you on his authority there was not even a conversation of this kind to purchase new vehicles or even to request for new vehicles, let alone to put such a request into writing to anybody,” Mr. Oppong-Nkrumah averred.
“…It sounds strange that if a new government is coming in and wanted vehicles, why would we request or insist that the previous government should buy it before they go. You would want to then come in and perhaps make your own choice and particularly even for security reasons, it would sound a bit strange.”
He said: "if anybody did something like that [contracted to make a purchase], that person needs to communicate it to the new administration for that decision to be examined and the proper thing done."
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Meanwhile, Dr. Apaak has indicated that the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) would soon release documentary evidence of the request and many Ghanaians have challenged the party to do so to clarify the issue.
The cars have been specially designed to fire rounds of ammunition and are designed to withstand the effects of a hand grenade.
Reports indicate that the said cars have been approved for use by the President, Vice-President, First Lady and others.
All four sides of the passenger compartment and the roof of the vehicle are protected using high-quality armour steel and glass defeating a NATO ball ammunition, the supplier Shell Speciality Vehicles described the vehicle.
The vehicles are said to be ready in Dubai awaiting shipment.
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