Kwaku Agyemang Manu faces imminent criminal prosecution over the botched Sputnik V vaccine deal in Ghana

The former Health Minister of Ghana, Kwaku Agyemang Manu, is set to be hauled before the courts as the government prepares formal criminal charges linked to the nation’s controversial COVID 19 procurement strategy. Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the Minister for Government Communications, confirmed on Saturday that legal preparations are in the final stages to hold the former official accountable for his role in the Sputnik V vaccine saga and the lucrative Frontiers Healthcare Services contract.

The legal storm centers on a 2021 arrangement where Ghana attempted to bypass standard procurement channels to secure Russian vaccines through a United Arab Emirates intermediary. Despite a global manufacturer price of roughly $10 per dose, the Ministry of Health agreed to pay $19 per dose. A parliamentary inquiry later exposed that the deal was signed without the necessary legislative approval or authorization from the Public Procurement Authority.

Public outrage intensified when it was revealed that over $2.8 million was paid for vaccines that were never delivered to the country. While the contract was eventually terminated under heavy scrutiny, the financial trail remains a focal point for state prosecutors.

Beyond the vaccine purchase, investigators are scrutinizing the lopsided revenue split at Kotoka International Airport involving Frontiers Healthcare Services. While the private entity reportedly pocketed over $80 million from mandatory passenger testing, the state received a mere $6.4 million. This looming prosecution marks a significant escalation in the quest for accountability regarding how public funds were managed during the global health crisis.