CHRAJ Recommends Prosecution Trustees of National Cathedral

…Over $312m Contract

The Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), has suggested further investigation and possible prosecution of Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral, who oversaw the award of US$312, 394,049.53, to Ribade Company Ltd.

The Commission, argues that the award of contract to Ribade, breached the Public Procurement Act (PPA) 663 and therefore unlawful.

The Commission, therefore recommended 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.

These breaches of the procurement laws, have the potential of courting international embarrassment to the country, considering its international status and that of Ribade Company Ltd.”

CHRAJ, has also called for the cancellation of the construction of the National Cathedral by the company.

“Having found that the contract awarded to Ribade Company Ltd, is void ab initio for being entered into contrary to the mandatory provisions of the Procurement Act, Act 663 as amended by Act 914, the Commission also recommends that the Board of the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) 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 Commission indicated as part of its recommendations.

It again, recommended that the Auditor General, conduct a forensic audit on the construction of the National Cathedral project from its inception to date.

This, follows a petition submitted to CHRAJ by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP) for the North Tongu constituency, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, to look into the controversy surrounding the National Cathedral of Ghana.

His reliefs included;

– Investigation of the appointment of contractors for the National Cathedral Project which Petitioner believes were done without adherence to the Public Procurement Procedures and laws.

– Investigation into payment of the sum of Two Million, Six Hundred Thousand Ghana Cedis (GHC 2,600,000) and any other payments made to JNS Talent Centre Limited from state resources;

– Investigate the conflict-of-interest complaint against Rev. Victor Kusi- Boateng in his dual capacity under separate identities as Director of both the National Cathedral and JNS Talent Centre Limited and related matters

– Take the appropriate action or steps for the remedying, restraining, correcting or reversal of offending conduct or actions.

The petition had travelled for a whole year, following which the Commission’s report signed by Director, Joseph Whittal, has indicated that there were several inconsistencies.

CHRAJ, explained that the contract to Ribade Company Limited, was awarded by the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral without recourse to the “concurrent approval by the Central Tender Review Committee, a key requirement of the Procurement Act having regards to the contract sum.”

CHRAJ, also disclosed that more than 50 percent of the contract sum, had been spent so far on the National Cathedral.

“Our investigations show that as at 31 May 2022, the amount of Two Hundred and Twenty-Five Million, Nine Hundred and Sixty-Two Thousand and Five Hundred Ghana Cedis (GHS225,962,500.00) described as seed money had been released for the construction of the National Cathedral per Exhibit 9.

“This sum of money has been expended according to Exhibit 9 on site preparation, contractors’ mobilization, US Fundraising, consultants and symposia. The stated sum of money is no small amount. Public interest dictates that there ought to be value for money in project execution,” it noted in the report.

The Commission stated that it was difficult to determine whether there has been value for money, since the project remains in the same state.

Meanwhile, the same investigative body, has exonerated a prominent figure in the whole controversy in the person of Reverend Victor Kusi Boateng, over allegations that he holds two passports with two different names.

Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa in his petition on January 2023 among others, asked for investigation of 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.

However, a portion of the report by CHRAJ, has indicated that he holds one passport with the name Kwabena Adu Gyamfi and has never been issued a passport with the name Kusi-Boateng, as claimed.

The petition, had 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.

However, the Commission came to the conclusion that there was no service rendered by the JNS Talent Centre Limited owned by Rev. Kusi-Boateng under his secondary identity, Kwabena Adu Gyamfi.

Rather, Rev Kusi Boateng, offered to pay contractors of the National Cathedral because, at the time, the National Cathedral, was not in good financial standing, and so the monies that were transferred to him were monies owed him for paying contractors of the project.

Reacting to the report, Mr Ablakwa, has applauded CHRAJ for its investigation into the National Cathedral project.

He described the report as “damning” as it confirms wrongdoing and offenses by persons responsible for the project.

“This is a very damming report. To have a project which is being done in the name of the Almighty and superintended by reverend ministers to have this outcome,” Ablakwa said on Hot Issues on 3FM, November 25.

“It has been confirmed now in this CHRAJ report that they were using public funds that there was nothing private about this project,” he added.

Mr Ablakwa, said the report is a clear confirmation of a “trade, loot and share scheme” which has been exposed by the Commission.