The Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, has revealed that Solomon Asamoah, former CEO of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF) and a key figure in the ongoing Sky Train scandal, is evading prosecution by hiding in Senegal. This disclosure follows an update on the investigation into the controversial project.
Dr. Ayine confirmed that $2 million was disbursed for the Sky Train project at the behest of Professor Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi, then Chairman of the GIIF Board of Directors, and Mr. Asamoah. Authorities initially tracked Asamoah to South Africa after he left Ghana on February 2nd. However, he subsequently relocated to Senegal, where he has refused to cooperate with Ghanaian authorities and return for questioning.
“He [Asamoah] told us that he would not come to Ghana until three months from now,” stated Dr. Ayine. “So we are patiently waiting for him. If he wants to be tried in absentia, that is his choice to make. But we have the prosecutorial authority to prosecute him in absentia.” Professor Ameyaw-Akumfi, who remains in Ghana, is also implicated in the scandal. Dr. Ayine indicated that if Asamoah continues to evade prosecution, the legal process will proceed against him in absentia, with Professor Ameyaw-Akumfi facing trial concurrently.
The Sky Train project, initiated under the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration, was envisioned as a transformative initiative for Ghana's transportation infrastructure. However, it has now become the subject of a major financial scandal, raising serious questions about accountability and transparency within the GIIF.
The Attorney General’s statement underscores the gravity of the situation and the government's commitment to pursuing justice, even in the face of challenges posed by the fugitive former CEO. The ongoing investigation promises to shed further light on the alleged financial irregularities surrounding the project.
