The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) has recommended a forensic audit of the National Cathedral project and the prosecution of its trustees, following an investigation into alleged corruption and abuse of power.

The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) has recommended a forensic audit of the National Cathedral project and the prosecution of its trustees, following an investigation into alleged corruption and abuse of power.

The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) has recommended a forensic audit of the National Cathedral project and the prosecution of its trustees, following an investigation into alleged corruption and abuse of power.

The findings, outlined in a report dated November 22, 2024, were initiated by a petition from North Tongu MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who raised concerns about the project’s transparency and compliance with Ghana’s procurement laws.

Procurement Breaches

CHRAJ’s investigation uncovered significant violations of Ghana’s procurement regulations, particularly in awarding the construction contract to Ribade Company Ltd. The report deemed the contract “void ab initio” due to non-compliance with the mandatory provisions of the Procurement Act (Act 663, as amended by Act 914).

In its recommendations, CHRAJ urged the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) to 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 as it has the power to do so under the Procurement Act.”

Forensic Audit and Financial Concerns

The Commission also called on the Auditor-General to conduct a forensic audit of the project. As of May 31, 2022, a total of GHS225,962,500.00 had been spent, covering site preparation, contractor mobilization, fundraising in the United States, consultancy fees, and symposia. However, CHRAJ noted that the project remains incomplete, raising concerns about value for money.

“This sum of money has been expended on-site preparation, contractors’ mobilization, US fundraising, consultants, and symposia,” the report noted.

“Public interest dictates that there ought to be value for money in project execution. Unfortunately, this Commission has no expertise to determine whether there has been value for money considering the project remains in the same state.”

Reputational Risks

CHRAJ highlighted the potential reputational damage to Ghana, citing the project’s international profile and the involvement of Ribade Company Ltd. The report warned that procurement law breaches could lead to international embarrassment.

Recommendations for Legal Action

The Commission recommended further investigation and possible prosecution of the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral for their role in awarding the contract in violation of procurement laws.

“The Commission further recommends for further investigation and possible prosecution of the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral who superintended over the award of the contract to Ribade Company in disregard to Act 663 as amended,” the report stated.

Background

Mr Okudzeto Ablakwa in January 2023 petitioned the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to investigate the Secretary of the National Cathedral Board of Trustees, Reverend Victor Kusi-Boateng, over conflict of interest, including possession of multiple identities and other alleged criminal dealings.

The petition, which was received by the two Deputy Commissioners of CHRAJ, also alleged that there was a transfer of GH¢2.6 million in cash from the National Cathedral Secretariat to JNS Talent Centre Limited, owned by Rev. Kusi-Boateng under his secondary identity, Kwabena Adu Gyamfi.

Petition

Mr. Ablakwa said the petition sought to invoke the mandate of CHRAJ under Article 218 of the 1992 Constitution to investigate the “odious conflict of interest” in regard to Rev. Victor Kusi-Boateng’s position on the national cathedral board, as he “literally paid his own company a staggering GH¢2.6 million for no work done.”.

Rev. Kusi-Boateng, who is also the founder of Power Chapel Worldwide, according to Mr. Ablakwa, was the same person as Kwabena Adu Gyamfi, who received the GH¢2.6 million from the national cathedral board.

“For the avoidance of doubt, there is no distinct Kwabena Adu Gyamfi. Kwabena Adu Gyamfi is a criminal creation of Rev. Victor Kusi-Boateng. The two are, therefore, the same,” Mr Ablakwa alleged in a statement on his Facebook wall that preceded the petition.

Mr Ablakwa said documents revealed that two other persons, Sheila Eshun and Kwabena Adu Gyamfi were also directors of JNS Talent Centre Limited.

“From unassailable and irreproachable documents in my possession, Rev. Victor Kusi-Boateng, aka Kwabena Adu Gyamfi, uses multiple passports and multiple identification cards with different names and different dates of birth as his special modus operandi.