Sky Train Scandal: 'PAC recommended prosecution, but nothing happened' - Avedzi

The long-dormant Sky Train scandal is gaining attention. The Attorney General is acting on the Public Accounts Committee's (PAC) recommendations.

James Klutse Avedzi, former PAC chairman, spoke about bureaucratic delays. These delays allowed those involved in the project to avoid punishment. He discussed this on Joy News' PM Express Business Edition.

Avedzi mentioned that the committee pushed for accountability in the Sky Train case. However, their recommendations were stalled at the executive level. "One of our issues is the Sky Train," he said.

He noted that the Attorney General recently announced action on these recommendations. "We recommended prosecution, and fortunately, that is happening now."

The Sky Train project was once seen as a revolutionary initiative for Ghana. However, it turned into a financial disaster. Millions were spent on studies and consultancy fees without any tracks being laid.

PAC's investigation found serious financial irregularities and procurement violations. They made strong recommendations for prosecution, but these faced obstacles.

"Ghanaians think we can punish people immediately," Avedzi explained. "But we can only recommend actions."

Before his chairmanship, reports would be adopted but not implemented. "Nothing would be done about it," he said. He decided to push for prosecutions when laws were violated.

Despite PAC’s efforts, communication issues delayed action on the scandal. Avedzi shared how a loophole allowed the Attorney General to claim he had no instructions to act.

"We recommended many people for prosecution," he stated. The Attorney General claimed there was no communication from Parliament regarding these individuals.

Avedzi worked to ensure that Parliament's decisions reached the Attorney General's office, which took almost two years.

Even after communication was established, no action followed against those implicated in the scandal. "Now it's up to the Attorney General to prosecute them," Avedzi lamented.

He noted that this delay has emboldened corrupt officials who exploit the system without fear of punishment.

Mr Avedzi emphasized that PAC’s findings come from Auditor General reports. Only cases officially audited reach PAC’s desk for review.

"Our work relies on Auditor General reports," he explained. If something isn't covered in those reports, it doesn't come to us.

If an issue is included in a report, they invite individuals to explain themselves. If their explanations are convincing, they drop the matter; if not, they escalate it further.

The inefficiency in enforcing PAC’s recommendations extends beyond just this scandal. Avedzi pointed out that all his committee reports have been adopted by Parliament but face implementation challenges.

"100% of my reports have been adopted," he stated. It then falls to the executive branch to implement these decisions effectively.

"But they often fail to do so," he added. He believes punishing wrongdoers is essential for change and deterrence.

The Sky Train scandal highlights why corruption persists in Ghana today. According to Mr Klutse Avedzi, public embarrassment during hearings is often the only consequence officials face.

"People know their main difficulty is appearing before PAC," he said about televised interrogations of officials.

"They realize nothing happens after our hearings." He stressed that implementing reports and punishing wrongdoing are crucial steps needed for real change.