Amewu Released After National Security Arrest Over Sky Train Scandal

• Former Minister for Railways Development John-Peter Amewu has been released after an earlier arrest
• He was arrested in connection with the $2 million Sky Train Project under the Akufo-Addo administration
• Professor Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi and Former Justice Minister Joe Ghartey were listed as persons of interest

Former Minister for Railways Development, John Peter Amewu has been released after his arrest by National Security operatives on March 25, 2025.

The Akufo-Addo appointee was questioned in connection with the controversial $2 million Sky Train Project.

Citi News reported that his arrest is part of ongoing investigations into the failed Sky Train initiative.

The project, which had $2 million allegedly committed to it, did not meet its objectives.

Professor Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi and former Justice Minister Joe Ghartey have already been questioned over the deal.

The Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Dr Dominic Ayine, later confirmed that he authorised the arrest of Ameyaw-Akumfi.

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Under Ghartey, Ghana signed a concession agreement with Africa Investment Sky Train Consortium in 2019, with an estimated cost of $3 billion.

However, the ambitious rail project never took off, and concerns were raised about its feasibility and financing.

In 2022, the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund also disclosed that it had invested $2 million in the project but nothing came of this.

Previous legal trouble for Amewu

Meanwhile, armed men reportedly stormed the residence of former minister Amewu, firing warning shots on March 5.

Video footage showed the men, who were armed with handguns, being confronted by agitated residents of the area.

The gunmen reportedly fired warning shots, sparking a confrontation with some of Amewu’s supporters.

At the time of the incident, the former minister was not home. He later said the armed men came to serve him court notice.

3News reported that a court bailiff, Victor Akorli was accompanied by three individuals to the former minister’s residence to execute a substituted service of an Appeals Court order from Koforidua, regarding election disenfranchising of the Guan district case.

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Aside from this legal issue, five residents from Santrofi, Akpafu, Likpe, and Lolobi (SALL) had earlier petitioned the High Court in Ho to nullify Amewu's victory in the election.

During the 2020 election, voters in SALL, now in the Guan district of the Oti Region, were only allowed to participate in the presidential election after being culled from the Hohoe Constituency.

They argued that removing SALL from Hohoe was unjust and meant to help Amewu win the Hohoe parliamentary election.

In July 2024, the Ho High Court dismissed the SALL election petition on grounds of lack of jurisdiction on July 29.

Former DG allegedly embezzled over $7m

YEN.com.gh also reported that the former Director General of the National Signals Bureau has been accused of embezzling $7 million.

Kwabena Adu-Boahene was alleged to have kept approximately a portion of GH¢49 million meant for a defence contract for himself.

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He reportedly transferred National Signals Bureau funds into his accounts, falsely justifying these as payments for defence systems.

Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.

Source: YEN.com.gh