Joe Ghartey Denies Authorizing $2million Payment For Sky Train Project

A former Minister for Railways Development, Joe Ghartey has refuted claims that the authorisation for payment of US $ 2 million to a Mauritius firm for the proposed Accra Sky Train project happened under his tenure.

He explained that the payment was rather made by the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF) and not the ministry as being portrayed.

Minority Chief Whip in Ghana’s Parliament, Kwame Governs Agbodza had criticized the government for the payment of US$2 million to a Mauritius-based company for the Accra Sky Train project, claiming that it was made without the necessary parliamentary and public procurement approvals. 

According to the Auditor General, the payment was made through the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF), which acquired 10 ordinary shares in the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) known as Ai Sky Train Consortium Holdings. The shares were valued at $2 million.

Reacting to the claims on Accra based, Citi fm’s Eye Witness news, Monday evening, Mr. Ghartey refuted these claims describing the Minority Chip Whip’s allegation as spreading propaganda.

He explained that in projects like the Accra Sky Train, it is the GIIF that handles payments. He suggested that if the Minority wanted answers regarding the payment, they should direct their inquiries to the GIIF and involve the Auditor General’s office.

Regarding the project itself, Mr. Ghartey clarified that the South African company involved was meant to return to Ghana, but the outbreak of COVID-19 prevented this from happening. As a result, his engagement with the South Africans ended without any discussions about payments.

He further emphasized that his ministry did not provide any funds to the company and that he did not possess the authority to make such payments. 

Mr. Ghartey stated that the GIIF, as a statutory corporation, was responsible for making such payments and encouraged further inquiries to be directed towards them.