The former chairman of Ghana’s state infrastructure fund, Prof. Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi admitted in court papers that he countersigned a $2 million payment tied to a proposed Accra SkyTrain project that was never built, but blamed the COVID-19 pandemic for the venture’s collapse.
Professor Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi, former board chairman of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF), made the admission in a witness statement filed at the High Court in Accra on Sept. 23 as part of his defence in an ongoing trial.
Ameyaw-Akumfi and former GIIF Chief Executive Solomon Asamoah are facing charges of causing financial loss to the state over the payment to Africa Investor Holdings Limited, a South African company.
In his statement, Ameyaw-Akumfi said he was presented with a letter dated Feb. 25, 2019, instructing the fund’s bankers to transfer $2 million to Africa Investor Holdings as payment for GIIF’s equity shares.
He said he countersigned the instruction in his official capacity because transactions above the applicable threshold required the signatures of both the board chairman and the chief executive.
“I therefore countersigned the instruction together with the 1st Accused person,” the statement said.
The former education minister maintained that the pandemic disrupted the SkyTrain project, which was intended to transform urban transport in the capital.
The filing follows failed attempts by the two accused to halt the trial after the High Court dismissed their submission of no case to answer on July 2, 2026, clearing the way for them to open their defence.
The accused then turned to the Supreme Court, seeking an order of certiorari to quash the High Court ruling and an injunction to stop proceedings. The Supreme Court dismissed both applications, allowing the trial to proceed.
When proceedings resumed on Monday, the court began a case management conference to let prosecution and defence lawyers review witness statements ahead of evidence. The conference is due to run from Tuesday to Thursday, after which the accused are expected to call their witnesses.
Prosecutors allege the money was transferred from GIIF’s account to Africa Investor Holdings without the required approval of the fund’s board.
Both accused have pleaded not guilty. The trial is expected to examine the payment instruction, the approval process and the circumstances that led to the project’s failure.
thenewrepublicgh
