Sky Train Scandal: Focus on retrieving stolen funds over prison sentence — GFL urges government

Abraham Koomson

The Ghana Federation of Labour (GFL) has called on the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government to prioritize retrieving stolen funds allegedly misappropriated during the eight-year rule of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), particularly in relation to the Accra Sky Train scandal, rather than focusing solely on imprisoning the accused.

Speaking to the media in Tema over the weekend, GFL Secretary-General Mr. Abraham Koomson encouraged the government of President John Dramani Mahama to recover the misappropriated $2 million, stating that this approach would serve national development more effectively than punitive measures.

“Retrieving the alleged funds will be more productive and beneficial to the state rather than just imprisoning the culprits while their families enjoy the loot; this is unacceptable,” Mr. Koomson said.

The Accra Sky Train scandal centers on a $2 million payment made to Africa Investor Holdings Limited for preliminary work on a transportation project that was never executed.

Former CEO of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF), Solomon Asamoah, and former board chairman Prof. Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi have been charged with willfully causing financial loss to the state, conspiracy to commit a crime, and violating the Public Property Protection Decree.

Mr. Asamoah has denied allegations of evading justice, stating that he is not hiding in Senegal but rather attending scheduled board meetings. Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi, who also served as chairman of the Public Procurement Authority (PPA), has been questioned by the National Investigations Bureau (NIB) and granted bail.

Reiterating his call for a practical approach, Mr. Koomson emphasized the need for the government to shift focus from incarceration to recovery. “The government must find progressive means to punish all those who benefitted or were involved in any corrupt act during the eight-year ‘misrule’ of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and former Vice President Alhaji Dr Mahamudu Bawumia,” he said.

While underscoring the importance of accountability, Mr. Koomson maintained that imprisonment is not always the most effective route. He added, “Let’s just get our money back. It will help the country.”

The Attorney General’s Office has reiterated the seriousness of the case, emphasizing that the accused acted outside their official mandate, causing substantial financial loss. According to the AG’s filing, the $2 million payment in question was made in February 2019 without proper board approval, in violation of GIIF’s governance procedures.

The charges, filed at the High Court (Criminal Division), include willfully causing financial loss under the Criminal Offences Act, conspiracy to dissipate public funds, and breaches of the Public Property Protection Decree.

The Accra Sky Train project began in 2018 as a public-private partnership involving the Ministry of Railways Development, GIIF, and Africa Investor Holdings. However, it never progressed beyond initial planning.

Attorney General Dr. Dominic Ayine described the matter as a case of serious financial misconduct. “The payment was unauthorized, and the project never materialized. This is a clear case of financial misconduct,” the AG’s statement noted.

The High Court is expected to proceed with hearings soon, with several GIIF board members anticipated to testify as prosecution witnesses. This case forms part of a broader anti-corruption initiative under the Mahama administration, which includes other cases such as the National Service Scheme ghost names scandal.