Ghana’s Deputy Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dr Justice Srem-Sai, has clarified that former Minister for Railways Development, Hon. Joe Ghartey, is not implicated in the ongoing legal proceedings related to the controversial Accra Sky Train project.
Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express, Dr Srem-Sai stated unequivocally that “former AG and later Railway Minister Joe Ghartey at a point was invited, but he explained his side of the story. When you look at the charge sheet for Sky Train, he’s not on it.”
This revelation comes amidst public interest and speculation surrounding the $2 million payment made in connection with the proposed Sky Train project, which never materialised.
Dr Srem-Sai reiterated that “the fact that you’re a minister at the time doesn’t mean that you will be criminally liable for anything.” He explained that while Ghartey was questioned during preliminary investigations, his actions were not found to warrant prosecution.
It will be recalled that Joe Ghartey, who also previously served as Attorney General, has consistently maintained that the Ministry of Railways Development did not make any financial commitments under his leadership towards the Sky Train project.
The Deputy Attorney General noted that not all investigations result in charges, and emphasised the importance of due process. “Not every minister presiding over a controversial ministry bears criminal responsibility,” he said.
No selective justice
Addressing wider concerns about perceived political bias in ongoing prosecutions, Dr Srem-Sai pointed out that many former appointees under the previous government are being investigated or have been arrested, but without a media spectacle.
“I appreciate the demeanour of a lot of the government appointees. A large number of the persons who have been arrested, now on bail, who are under investigation, are quiet. They will not make any noise about it,” he said.
He also observed that while a few high-profile cases have attracted media attention, a considerable number of former officials have cooperated with law enforcement quietly.
“It’s only a few who, once in a while, come in the media, and then people are massing up to go to EOCO. But there are a lot of them who go quietly, do what they are asked to do, and leave without any noise at all,” he noted.