"Ambulance Saga": Dubai Automobile Dealership Responds To Video
S.K. Motors, a car dealership in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, has officially responded to the blazing Ghana ambulance for sale scandal, days after removing an image of an ambulance bearing the Ghanaian government's insignia from its Facebook wall.
Following the publication of a video that showed the ambulance on the dealership's property alongside other vehicles for sale, the ambulance was removed.
In a Facebook statement, the dealership first referenced a previous post by Stan Dogbe, an aide to former President John Dramani Mahama, before presenting their own facts.
Regarding the viral video of an ambulance in our parking lot, we lament that it was taken and distributed without our permission. It is disheartening to learn that it may mislead the Ghanaian people and tarnish the reputation of the Ghanaian government and our company, S K Motors.
"Please be aware that the ambulance in the video is part of a shipment financed by the World Bank to improve emergency medical services in Ghana. It was never intended for public sale and served only as a demonstration model. We genuinely apologize for any confusion this may have caused and want to assure you that we will continue to adhere to ethical standards."
Sylvester Bortianor-Ngleshie-Amanfro Member of Parliament Matthew Tetteh has criticized the Ghana National Ambulance Service (GNAS) for its statement regarding the discovery of its vehicle in a car showroom in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
In an interview, the representative stated that the Ambulance Service's justification was illogical because their vehicle was discovered at a well-known dealership in Dubai.
According to him, the claim that the ambulance service vehicle was discovered in the manufacturer's storage facility is a complete fabrication.
"People like this make work extremely difficult. What does he (the individual who issued the statement) believe, given that he is addressing his children? Who authorized the letter?…You have ordered a brand-new vehicle to be delivered to you, and they have exposed the branded vehicle to the public in an open garage market.
"The location where the vehicle was discovered is called Sharjah; who in Dubai doesn't recognize that location? Who are the manufacturers, and is their warehouse located there? Each brand-new automobile is stored in a storage... What sort of juvenile statement is this, and this person is paid at the end of the month while I sit here defending some government?"
He demanded that the administration dismiss the individuals responsible for the statement.
The Ghana National Ambulance Service (GNAS) refuted claims that some of its vehicles were being sold in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) after a video of one of its ambulances in the country went viral. The service asserts that the GNAS-branded vehicle seen in the video is one of 26 new vehicles purchased with World Bank funds.
In a statement, the GNAS added that the footage was captured at the automobile manufacturer. "The manufacturing processes are complete, and the ambulances will be shipped to Ghana in the near future," the GNAS added.
In the video, the aforementioned ambulance can be seen parked alongside vehicles of various manufacturers in a car showroom. It was imprinted with the Ghana Coat of Arms and the Ghana Ambulance Service emblem. On it was also written "Radiology Specialist Ambulance, Minister of Health, World Bank Funded."
The footage was captured in Dubai by two Ghanaians who claimed the vehicle was for sale.