CHRAJ demands forensic audit and possible prosecution over National Cathedral Project
A damning report by the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) has uncovered significant corruption and abuse of power in the National Cathedral project. The investigation, prompted by a petition from North Tongu MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, revealed blatant breaches of Ghana's procurement laws.
The report found that the contract awarded to Ribade Company Ltd for the construction of the cathedral was "void ab initio" due to non-compliance with the Procurement Act. CHRAJ has urged the Public Procurement Authority to cancel the contract and has called for a forensic audit of the project.
“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,'' the report stated.
The investigation also raised concerns about the project's value for money, with a staggering GHS225,962,500.00 spent as of May 31, 2022, yet the project remains incomplete.
“This sum of money has been expended on-site preparation, contractors’ mobilization, US fundraising, consultants, and symposia.''
“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,'' the report noted.
The potential reputational damage to Ghana is significant, given the project's international profile.
CHRAJ has recommended further investigation and possible prosecution of the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral for their role in awarding the contract.
“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
North Tongu MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, filed a petition with the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) in January 2023. He requested an investigation into Reverend Victor Kusi-Boateng, the Secretary of the National Cathedral Board of Trustees, over allegations of conflict of interest and criminal activity.
The petition claimed that Rev. Kusi-Boateng had multiple identities and was involved in shady dealings. Specifically, it alleged that GH¢2.6 million was transferred from the National Cathedral Secretariat to JNS Talent Centre Limited, a company owned by Rev. Kusi-Boateng under his alias, Kwabena Adu Gyamfi.
Mr. Ablakwa argued that Rev. Kusi-Boateng's actions constituted a clear conflict of interest, as he had essentially paid his own company for no work done. Furthermore, documents revealed that Rev. Kusi-Boateng used multiple passports and identification cards with different names and dates of birth.
The report from CHRAJ has sparked widespread outrage, with many calling for accountability and transparency in the project's management.
Source: Lead News Online
