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Sky train project: $2m payment was made by GIIF not Railways Ministry – Joe Ghartey
Former Minister of Railways Development, Joe Ghartey has debunked claims that the ministry under his watch made a $2 million payment to a company in Mauritius as part of the Accra Sky Train project.
He insisted that the money was instead paid by the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund.
The Minority in Parliament strongly criticised the government for paying the $2 million to Africa Investor Holdings Limited, for the Accra Sky Train Project without parliamentary and the requisite public procurement approvals.
But Mr. Ghartey in an interview on Eyewitness News on Citi FM on Monday rejected the claims and said the Minority members are only broadcasting propaganda.
He explained that in projects such as that of the now-defunct sky train project, it is the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF) that effects such payments, and therefore the Minority may want to get the answers it is seeking from the GIIF.
“It is the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund that paid the money and the Fund is mandated to make such payments and so if the Minority wants anyone to refund the money, they should tell the Auditor General to ask the Fund to refund the money.”
He further emphasized that the South African company that was supposed to execute the project was to come back to Ghana, but the outbreak of COVID-19 prevented that from happening, and that was how his engagement with the South Africans ended on the project, with no payment discussions.
“I went to South Africa in 2018 to make the presentation because the quality of life is affected by heavy traffic and then the South Africans came. The company went back and said they wanted a concession agreement of thirty years and I said it was not possible. The company went away and was supposed to come in 2020 and then there was COVID-19.”
“And so as far as my Ministry is concerned, we did not give them any money. I didn’t have any money and I didn’t have the power to pay any money and I did not pay any money. I don’t have the power to write for payment to the company in Mauritius. GIIF [Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund] is the statutory corporation that has the power to make such payments and so you can ask them.”
Credit: Citinewsroom.com
The spokesperson for Dr. Bawumia, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, has criticised the implementation of the NDC government’s No Fee Stress policy, arguing that the programme has failed to deliver on its core promise.
According to him on Starr fm, the policy, which was introduced to ensure stress free payment of fees for level 100 tertiary students, has rather turned into what he described as post stress support.
He explained that students are required to pay their fees first before applying for reimbursement, a situation he believes defeats the purpose of the policy.
He questioned claims by government officials that the policy has been successful and that citizens are happy.
In his view, such claims do not reflect the lived realities of many Ghanaians. He stressed that while some people may appear satisfied, many others continue to struggle.
Dennis Miracles Aboagye pointed to the situation of trained teachers and nurses who have been picketing for nearly six months, demanding employment.
He noted that government responses suggesting it cannot accommodate all of them contradict claims of economic stability.
He further argued that economic indicators such as a stable currency mean little to people who are unable to secure jobs or access promised support.
He observed that telling an unemployed teacher or a struggling student that the cedi has strengthened does not address their immediate challenges.
On the issue of tertiary education, he maintained that no level 100 student benefited from stress free fees in 2025, despite the policy being announced.
He added that in 2026, students have already reported to school without receiving the promised support.
He insisted that asking students to pay fees first and seek reimbursement later amounts to support after hardship, not stress free education.
According to him, this approach goes against what was promised during the policy announcement.
Dennis Miracles Aboagye questioned why a government that presents the economy as strong is unable to fulfil what he described as simple and clear promises.
He added that there is a fundamental problem with the way the economy is being managed and indicated that he is prepared to explain his position further.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Ashanti South Regional Police Command has arrested a suspect in connection with a robbery that led to the death of a miner at Asonkore SSNIT Flats Down, a suburb of Obuasi in the Ashanti Region.
The suspect, Rahman Adams, also known as Wale, was picked up on January 18, 2026, at Pomposo after what the police described as an intelligence led operation.
According to the police, the arrest is linked to a residential robbery that took place on December 12, 2025. Armed attackers reportedly stormed a house at Asonkore.
When officers arrived at the scene, they found the body of a 42 year old miner inside the house.
Preliminary investigations by the police show that the attackers entered the house by cutting through a burglar proof window. They stole cash amounting to GH¢2,600, a laptop, and a vehicle ignition key.
During the attack, they assaulted the miner, who later died from the injuries.
The police indicated that two other suspects remain on the run. One of them is known only as A T, while the other is a Nigerian national. Investigators believe both men played key roles in the robbery and murder.
Items recovered from the scene include hammers, machetes, and cutters. The body of the deceased was taken to the Obuasi Government Hospital mortuary for preservation and autopsy.
The police noted that Rahman Adams is currently in custody and assisting with investigations. They added that efforts are ongoing to track down and arrest the remaining suspects so they can face justice.
By: Jacob Aggrey
