Joe Ghartey
Former Minister for Railway Development, Joe Ghartey, has been summoned by the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) for questioning on the Ghana Sky Train project.
Reports said Mr. Ghartey would be interrogated as part of ongoing investigations by the NIB into the feasibility and financial dealings of the urban railway initiative.
This comes after the detention of the former Board Chairman of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF), Prof. Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi, on Sunday by the NIB.
In 2019, Ghana signed a concession agreement with Africa Investment (Ai) Sky Train Consortium, with an estimated cost of $3 billion.
The project, which was meant to tackle urban traffic congestion, particularly in Accra, could not take off as planned.
GIIF reportedly invested $2 million in the project, which money was flagged by the Auditor General in his report to Parliament.
Ameyaw-Akumfi’s Release
Meanwhile, the NIB has released Professor Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi following a detention related to an investigation into financial matters during his tenure as the Board Chairman of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF).
Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi was detained on Sunday morning as part of ongoing inquiries into financial approvals he oversaw while at the helm of the GIIF.
His legal counsel, Ken Kuranchie, confirmed his release shortly after the incident.
According to Mr. Kuranchie, Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi was at his home in the morning when a group of men in three pickups arrived and informed him that he was needed at the NIB.
He disclosed that the former minister voluntarily accompanied the officials to the NIB headquarters, located in Kawukudi, Accra, where he was held.
While the specific details of the investigation remain unclear, it is understood that the NIB is examining financial approvals during Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi’s time as Board Chairman at GIIF.
The investigation reportedly focuses on financial matters that occurred during his tenure, though the exact nature of the allegations is still undisclosed.
In addition to Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi’s detention, the NIB has summoned Bono Regional Chairman Kwame Baffoe, also known as Abronye DC, to appear before them on February 26, 2025.
Abronye is expected to provide evidence regarding allegations he made about President John Dramani Mahama allegedly withholding GH¢550 million intended for dismissed appointees at the Jubilee House.
In a recent interview on Accra-based Movement Television, Abronye DC accused the government of corruption in recruitment and revocation processes, sparking further attention on the NIB’s actions.
Abronye’s invitation to the NIB has led to claims of selective investigation, with the politician suggesting that the agency is biased in its approach towards NPP members.
Abronye criticised the NIB for its handling of investigations involving government officials.
He argued that the NIB had not pursued similar inquiries into wild allegations surrounding government figures, pointing to alleged corruption linked to the Akyem mafia and other matters.
“There was money intended for those employees whose appointment letters have been terminated, and no government will recruit for that budgeting. So I’ll go and face them,” Abronye said, adding that the NIB’s investigation could be an attempt to suppress free speech.
By Ernest Kofi Adu