Covid-19 forced us to abandon Sky Train project – Joe Ghartey

Former Railway Minister, Joe Ghartey has attributed the government's inability to pursue the Sky train dream to the impact of Covid-19 pandemic.

In 2018, Africa Investor Holdings Limited established the Ghana Sky Train Limited, incorporating a Special Purpose Vehicle in Mauritius for the Accra Sky Train Project's development through a Design, Build, Finance, and Operate arrangement.

It was revealed that the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund made a $2 million payment to acquire 10 ordinary shares in the Special Purpose Vehicle.

The Auditor General's 2021 report characterised the transaction as a net liability.

Speaking to JoyNews' Evans Mensah, the Member of Parliament for Esikado Ketan in the Western Region, Joe Ghartey, explained that the investors withdrew due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

During the interview, the legislator also publicly stated his position about being a potential running mate to the NPP presidential candidate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.

The lawmaker categorically stated that he is not interested in becoming a running mate or vice president.

"I am not interested in becoming the running mate to Dr Mahamudu Bawumia. I have not even considered it… Vice President is not something that I crave to be," he said.

The politician further acknowledged the prevailing sentiment within the NPP that the running mate for the party's presidential candidate should come from the Ashanti Region.