Former Board Chairman of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF), Professor Christopher Ameyaw Ekumfi, says he countersigned an instruction authorising a $2 million payment for the Skytrain project, but the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted its implementation.
According to a press release outlining his defence, Prof Ameyaw Ekumfi made the statement in a witness statement filed at the High Court in Accra on September 23, 2026.
He and former GIIF Chief Executive Officer, Solomon Asamoah, are standing trial on charges of causing financial loss to the state in connection with the project.
In his statement, Prof Ameyaw Ekumfi said he was presented with a letter dated February 25, 2019, instructing GIIF’s bankers to transfer $2 million to Africa Investor Holdings Limited as payment for the Fund’s equity shares.
He explained that he signed the instruction in his official capacity because transactions above the applicable threshold required the signatures of both the Board Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer.
“I, therefore, countersigned the instruction together with the 1st accused person,” he stated.
The defence filing follows unsuccessful attempts by the accused persons to halt the trial, according to the release.
It said the High Court dismissed their no-case submission on July 2, 2026, after the prosecution closed its case, requiring them to open their defence.
The accused subsequently sought an order of certiorari from the Supreme Court to quash the High Court’s decision. They also applied to halt the trial pending the determination of that application.
According to the release, the Supreme Court dismissed both applications, allowing the trial to proceed. Those procedural decisions do not determine the accused persons’ guilt.
At the resumption of proceedings on Monday, October 19, the High Court began a case management conference to address arrangements for the defence, including matters relating to the filed witness statement.
The release said the conference would continue from Tuesday, October 20, to Thursday, October 22, after which the defence is expected to begin calling witnesses.