Former Health Minister Kwaku Agyeman-Manu is set to face prosecution in two separate criminal cases related to COVID-19 transactions, according to the Minister for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu.
Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express programme on March 11, 2026, Mr Kwakye Ofosu disclosed that the former Dormaa Central MP had been arrested and interrogated by the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB), with two completed dockets forwarded to the Office of the Attorney-General.
“He was arrested by NIB. He was interrogated. He wrote a caution statement. The docket on him has been built, two of them. And he will be taken to court very soon and charged,” Mr Kwakye Ofosu stated.
The cases involve the procurement of the Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine and an arrangement with Frontiers Health Service Limited during the pandemic-era border screening programme at Kotoka International Airport.
Sputnik V Controversy
The Sputnik V vaccine transaction drew public criticism in 2021 when a parliamentary ad hoc committee revealed that Ghana procured the Russian-manufactured vaccine through a Dubai-based intermediary at $19 per dose, despite the manufacturer’s price of $10 per dose.
The committee further found that Mr Agyeman-Manu proceeded with the agreement without seeking parliamentary approval, raising concerns about procurement breaches.
Border Screening Irregularities
The second case relates to the management of COVID-19 screening operations at Kotoka International Airport. During his parliamentary vetting, Mr Agyeman-Manu admitted that Frontiers Health Service Limited operated at the airport without the requisite licence throughout the pandemic period.
Charges Pending
Mr Kwakye Ofosu indicated that the charges under consideration include causing financial loss to the state, breaches of procurement laws, and other related offences.
“In a matter of days, we will go to court. It is not just one case, two different cases. The documents are before the Attorney-General as I speak,” he said.
Response to Claims
The Government Communications Minister dismissed recent public statements by Mr Agyeman-Manu suggesting he had not been questioned under the government’s Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) initiative.
“I noticed that he has been in the news, engaging in bluster and claiming that nobody has touched him. That is not true,” Mr Kwakye Ofosu said. “He is by no means a free man.”
He explained that the former minister’s release after arrest followed standard criminal procedure, noting that suspects are typically granted liberty pending trial unless exceptional circumstances require remand.
Broader Investigations
Mr Kwakye Ofosu further revealed that approximately 140 individuals linked to cases under the ORAL initiative have been questioned by security agencies, including the Criminal Investigation Department, NIB, and the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).
He added that EOCO has completed 27 dockets currently under review by the Attorney-General’s Office.
Mr Agyeman-Manu served as Minister for Health from 2017 until February 2024 under former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s administration.
