The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Lieutenant General Thomas Oppong-Peprah, has provided testimony regarding the status of the third accused in the ongoing ambulance procurement trial, Richard Jakpa.
During cross-examination by Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame on Monday, July 29, 2024, Lt. Gen. Oppong-Peprah clarified that Mr Jakpa was not honourably released from the Ghana Armed Forces.
“My Lady, as per the document that is on record, he was not honourably released,” Lt. Gen. Oppong-Peprah told the court.
Meanwhile, earlier in his testimony on the same day, the CDS noted that the third accused was released from the military due to a continuous lack of knowledge or interest in his duties.
This comes weeks after a widely circulated letter asserted that Mr Jakpa was dismissed from the GAF based on persistent offences and acts of misconduct.
The CDS explained that the decision to discharge Jakpa was not taken lightly.
He stressed that Jakpa’s persistent inability to demonstrate the necessary expertise and commitment to his role in the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) ultimately led to his dismissal.
Meanwhile, he denied claims that misconduct was one of the reasons Jakpa was released from the service.
Also referring to exhibit BF3, the Attorney General indicated that Mr Jakpa was neither placed on the retired list nor permitted to exercise his rights in civil life. When asked if Jakpa would have been entitled to these rights if he had been honourably released, the CDS affirmed that he would have been.
