Business News of Tuesday, 25 March 2025

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

'I'm not in hiding in Senegal' – Former GIIF CEO breaks silence on $2m Sky Train scandal

Solomon Asamoah is the former CEO of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund Solomon Asamoah is the former CEO of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund

The former CEO of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF), Solomon Asamoah, has denied allegations made by the Attorney General, Dr Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, that he is evading justice, hiding, and seeking refuge in Senegal.

The Attorney General, at a press conference on March 24, 2025, explained that Solomon Asamoah was hiding in Senegal after playing a role in the controversial $2 million payment for the failed Accra Sky Train project.

According to Dr Ayine, Asamoah, who is wanted for investigations, has been in Senegal since February 2, 2025, after initially traveling to South Africa.

“The CEO is hiding in Senegal. We tracked him first to South Africa, and now he is in Senegal. When we contacted him, he told us he would not return to Ghana until three months from now, and we are patiently waiting for him. If he does not return, he will be tried in absentia,” he said.

However, refuting the claims, Asamoah, in a statement dated March 24, 2025, shared by 3news and sighted by GhanaWeb, described the AG’s remarks as ‘inaccurate and untrue’.

Setting the record straight regarding his whereabouts, Solomon Asamoah confirmed that he is indeed in Senegal, but clarified that his presence there is for scheduled board meetings, which are part of his corporate responsibilities.

He explained that these meetings had been scheduled before the conclusion of his tenure at GIIF and that he traveled out of the country on March 21, 2025.

“I categorically deny the false and incorrect allegations that I have gone into hiding in Senegal. This claim is entirely inaccurate and untrue. In fact, I traveled out of Ghana on Friday 21st March 2025 to attend scheduled board meetings as part of a corporate responsibility that was planned well in advance,” he stated.

Asamoah explained that before his travel to Senegal, he had not received any invitation from the security agencies regarding an investigation into him.

He added that he was only contacted by the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) a day after his departure from the country.

“Prior to my departure, I have been present in Ghana for long periods in both February and March. During this period, I was never contacted by any government official in relation to an invitation to assist in any investigation. However, on Saturday 22nd March 2025, a day after departure from Accra, I was indeed contacted via WhatsApp by an official of the National Intelligence Bureau who requested an online meeting with me which we agreed to hold on Wednesday 26th March at 4 pm. This would enable me to respond to any misconceptions and misunderstandings on any substantive matter related to investments by GIIF,” the statement added.

The former government appointee under the Akufo-Addo-led administration reiterated his stance, firmly stating that he had not engaged in any wrongdoing or criminal activity.

He emphasised his commitment to maintaining his integrity and reaffirmed that he was not attempting to evade justice.

“I have not committed any wrongdoing and I absolutely have no reason to run away from justice. I will return home shortly to offer all the assistance and information necessary to support the AG's investigations which will ultimately vindicate my reputation and integrity,” he added.

The investigations are in connection with a $2 million payment made for a sky train project for the country by the GIIF.

However, the AG disclosed that investigations showed the $2 million payment was made at the request of GIIF’s Board Chairman, Prof. Ameyaw Ekumfi, and Solomon Asamoah without the necessary board approval.

“There was no board approval for the transaction, and the conditions precedent to disbursement had not been met. We tracked the company to Mauritius and a lawyer there has confirmed to us that it does not exist. But that is also a developing story.

“If there is going to be a delay, we will start the prosecution with him being tried in absentia. Prof. Ameyaw Ekumfi, who acted with him to transfer the money, is in the country, and the legal process will proceed,” he affirmed.

Prof Ekumfi has since been questioned by the National Investigations Bureau (NIB) and granted bail.

MAG/AE

Watch the latest edition of BizTech below:



Click here to follow the GhanaWeb Business WhatsApp channel