In the ongoing trial over the controversial Sky Train project, Professor Ameyaw-Akumfi, the former Board Chairman of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF), pleaded not guilty to all four charges levelled against him when he appeared before the High Court in Accra today, May 26.

The 80-year-old statesman, academic, and former cabinet minister was arraigned on multiple counts relating to financial impropriety in connection with the payment of $2 million for a proposed urban railway system that never materialised.

The specific charges and pleas entered were as follows:

• Count 1: Conspiracy to commit a crime, to wit, wilfully causing financial loss to the Republic
  — Plea: Not guilty
• Count 2: Wilfully causing financial loss to the state
  — Plea: Not guilty
• Count 4: Conspiracy to commit a crime, to wit, intentional dissipation of public funds
  — Plea: Not guilty
• Count 6: Intentional dissipation of public funds
  — Plea: Not guilty

During the hearing, counsel for Professor Ameyaw-Akumfi made a passionate application for bail, arguing that his client is not a flight risk and suffers from significant health challenges that require continuous medical attention.

“He is a man of sufficient means and high repute,” the defence lawyer told the court, citing Professor Ameyaw-Akumfi’s distinguished public service record.

The professor previously served as Minister of Education and Minister of Ports and Harbours under President John Agyekum Kufuor, Pro Vice-Chancellor and lecturer at the University of Cape Coast, as well as Board Chairman of numerous state institutions, including GIIF and the Public Procurement Authority (PPA).

The lawyer noted that Professor Ameyaw-Akumfi had recently undergone hip surgery, which affects his mobility, a condition that was “clearly evident” in court and supported by medical documentation already submitted to the prosecution.

The professor had recently undergone a coronary angiogram to address a heart condition. Medical reports indicate that he is a known hypertensive patient who requires consistent monitoring and care.

In a further bid to demonstrate his client’s willingness to comply with court directives, the lawyer revealed that Professor Ameyaw-Akumfi had voluntarily brought his passport to court and was prepared to surrender it as a condition for bail.

“He maintains a permanent residence in Pokuase in the Greater Accra Region and rarely travels outside the country, except for medical purposes,” the lawyer added.

The high-profile case forms part of broader investigations into the handling of public funds allocated for the Sky Train project, which was billed as a transformational transport solution for Accra but remains unexecuted.

Why is Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi facing prosecution?

The Attorney General’s Office earlier this month formally charged Mr. Solomon Asamoah and Prof. Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi for their roles in the controversial Accra Sky Train project, which allegedly cost the state $2 million without authorisation.

The charges, filed on May 13 at the Accra High Court (Criminal Division), include wilfully causing financial loss to the state under the Criminal Offences Act, conspiracy to commit a crime through intentional dissipation of public funds, and intentional dissipation of public funds under the Public Property Protection Decree.

Prosecutors allege that in February 2019, the accused authorised a $2 million payment from GIIF to Africa Investor Holdings Limited for preliminary work on the Sky Train project – a system that was never built.

The payment was reportedly made without proper board approval.

The Sky Train project, initiated in 2018 as a public-private partnership for an urban rail system in Accra, involved a memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Railways Development, Africa Investor Holdings, and GIIF.

However, investigations revealed the $2 million disbursement lacked proper due diligence and violated GIIF's governance protocols.

This prosecution forms part of the government's broader crackdown on financial malfeasance, following earlier warnings of pending charges in the SkyTrain and NSS ghost names scandals.