Sputnik deal portrayed Ghana as a Banana Republic – Martin Kpebu.

The botched Sputnik V deal that was signed by the Health Minister Kwaku Agyemang-Manu portrayed Ghana as a banana republic, a private legal practitioner, Martin Kpebu, has said.

He accused the sector minister of breaching the procurement laws in the transaction.

“This is embarrassing,” he said on Accra-based Joy FM, adding “The breach of law is making Ghana look like banana republic.”

Meanwhile, the Emirati at the centre of the deal to supply Sputnik V vaccines to Ghana has committed to refunding monies transferred to him by Mr Agyemang-Manu.

Sheikh Ahmed Dalmook Al Maktoum says he is ready to initiate the process to transfer $2,470,000 into the bank account to be provided by the Minister.

This was contained in a reply to a letter written by the Minister for a refund of the monies paid for the non-supplied doses.

Following mounted pressure from a section of the public, particularly the Minority in Parliament, the Minister of Health wrote to the office of the Sheikh on Monday, August 2 requesting a return of the monies hitherto paid.

“I wish to formally accept your termination of our agreement dated 9th March 2021 for the supply of Sputnik V vaccine as per letter number ADM/LT/GHA/00/21/101 Dated 14th July 2021.

“By this letter I also wish to formally request for the refund of the remaining amount for the non-supplied doses which should be the total amount paid to your office minus the amount due for the 20,000 you already supplied in line with your earlier email dated 25th July 2021 in which it was affirmed that on the 13th April 2021 funds were transferred into your accounts as 50 per cent advanced of the initial batch of 300,000 doses.”

Exactly, three days later, Sheikh Al Maktoum replied with an assurance to refund the monies but deducted the amount of $380,000 from the requested refund as payment for the initial 20,000 samples sent.