Former GIIF Board Chair Defends Role in Skytrain Trial, Says CEO Handled Daily Operations

In the ongoing Skytrain trial, Professor Christopher Ameyaw Ekumfi, the former Board Chairman of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF) and second accused in the case, has told the court that the fund’s day-to-day affairs were managed by its Chief Executive Officer, Solomon Asamoah, rather than by him.

Professor Ameyaw Ekumfi explained that his role as Board Chairman was limited to presiding over board meetings and approving proposals that were presented to the Board by the CEO. He emphasized that he did not take part in the routine management or daily operations of the fund, which he said fell under the CEO’s mandate.

His testimony appears to be an effort to distance himself from direct responsibility for operational decisions at the center of the Skytrain case. By stating that he only chaired meetings and endorsed what was brought before the Board, the former Chairman is drawing a clear line between his oversight function and the executive duties carried out by the CEO.

The Skytrain trial concerns the controversial Accra Skytrain project, and Professor Ameyaw Ekumfi is facing charges alongside other accused persons. His defense centers on the argument that, as Board Chair, he relied on the CEO and management for the implementation of decisions and the running of the fund’s affairs.

The case continues to draw public attention as it touches on the governance and accountability of a major state infrastructure fund. The court is expected to hear further testimony as the trial proceeds, with the prosecution seeking to establish the roles and responsibilities of each accused person in the transactions under scrutiny.

Professor Ameyaw Ekumfi’s statement reinforces a common defense in corporate governance cases: that board chairs provide oversight, while CEOs and management handle execution.

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