Prof. Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi, former Chairman of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF), has been granted bail after being briefly detained by the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) in connection with the controversial $2 million Sky Train project.
His lawyer, Ken Kuranchie, confirmed his release during an interview with Channel One TV, stating that his legal team acted promptly to secure his freedom while the probe continues.
According to Kuranchie, Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi was invited for questioning on Sunday morning and initially taken to the NIB National Headquarters before being transferred to the agency’s Kanda office for further interrogation. Although officials initially informed him that he would be held in custody, he was ultimately released later that day.
Background
The former GIIF chairman’s detention is linked to findings in the 2021 Auditor-General’s report, which revealed that a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) established for the Sky Train project had no operational license, despite receiving $2 million in funding through GIIF under his leadership.
Launched in 2017, the Sky Train initiative was envisioned as a transformative urban transport solution for Accra but never progressed beyond the planning stage. In July 2023, the Minority in Parliament raised concerns over the disbursement of public funds without the necessary approvals or feasibility assessments.
Addressing the situation, Kuranchie insisted on his client’s innocence, stating, “The matters under investigation pertain to his tenure as Board Chairman of GIIF, which is a government investment fund. However, my client has no involvement in any wrongdoing.”
When asked whether further legal action might be taken, Kuranchie advised caution, emphasizing that the investigation is still ongoing. “We will have to wait and see what unfolds,” he added.
Though Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi has regained his freedom, it remains uncertain whether he will be summoned for further questioning or face legal proceedings as authorities continue their inquiries into the case.
