ASEPA demands action on central medical stores fire report after 9-year wait
Accra, Ghana - Nov 4, 2024 - The 2015 fire that ravaged the Central Medical Stores in Tema, Ghana, causing $80 million in damages, remains shrouded in mystery. Despite suspicions of arson and the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) concluding its investigation, no one has been held accountable.
The Alliance for Social Equity and Public Accountability (ASEPA) is now demanding answers.
ASEPA's Executive Director, Mensah Thompson, is urging EOCO to release its findings and take immediate action against those implicated.
“We demand the immediate release of the 2015 Central Medical Stores fire investigation and other related corruption investigations of EOCO in the Central Stores fire and we shall be filing an RTI request to demand the immediate release of the report to the public.
“We also demand the immediate arrest of all persons indicted in the fire, including Romeo Caleb Kofi Tetteh.
“Again, we shall be filing a petition with the Officer of the Special Prosecutor to commence investigation and prosecution into this matter. We are also demanding the Ministry of Health release the Sputnik V investigation report,'' he stated.
The incident, which occurred on January 13, 2015, destroyed thousands of medical supplies, including malaria drugs and hospital equipment.
Initial investigations pointed to operational lapses and potential arson, with one labourer, Samuel Dogbe, sought by security agencies.
The Health Minister has previously assured that a forensic audit would be conducted, but progress has been slow.
Source: Florence Kyei /Lead News Online
