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The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) has called for a forensic audit into the National Cathedral project and the possible prosecution of its trustees following allegations of corruption and abuse of power. The findings, published in a report on November 22, 2024, stem from a petition by North Tongu MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, raising concerns over procurement breaches and financial irregularities.
CHRAJ’s investigation identified major breaches of Ghana’s procurement laws in the awarding of the construction contract to Ribade Company Ltd. The contract was deemed “void ab initio” due to non-compliance with the Procurement Act (Act 663, as amended by Act 914).
The Commission recommended that the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) cancel the contract.
“The Board of the Public Procurement Authority should intervene to cancel the contract for the construction of the National Cathedral between the National Cathedral and Ribade Company,” CHRAJ stated.
The report highlighted that as of May 31, 2022, an estimated GHS225,962,500.00 had been spent on site preparation, contractor mobilization, U.S. fundraising, consultancy fees, and symposia, yet the project remains incomplete.
CHRAJ acknowledged its lack of expertise to assess whether the expenditures represented value for money, prompting a recommendation for a forensic audit by the Auditor-General.
The Commission warned that the procurement violations could cause international embarrassment due to the high-profile nature of the project and its association with Ghana.
CHRAJ recommended that the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral face further investigation and potential prosecution for their role in awarding the contract unlawfully.
“The Commission further recommends for further investigation and possible prosecution of the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral,” the report added.
In January 2023, Mr. Ablakwa petitioned CHRAJ to investigate Reverend Victor Kusi-Boateng, Secretary of the National Cathedral Board of Trustees, for alleged conflict of interest and misuse of funds.
– It was alleged that Rev. Kusi-Boateng, under a secondary identity as Kwabena Adu Gyamfi, facilitated the transfer of GHS2.6 million from the Cathedral Secretariat to JNS Talent Centre Limited, a company he owns.
– Mr. Ablakwa further accused Rev. Kusi-Boateng of using multiple identities and falsifying documents, citing possession of multiple passports and identification cards with varying names and dates of birth.
The petition invoked CHRAJ’s constitutional mandate under Article 218 to investigate the alleged misconduct and ensure accountability.
