CHRAJ Recommends Audit, Prosecution in Ghana’s National Cathedral Scandal

KEY POINTS

• CHRAJ recommends forensic audit of the National Cathedral project.
• Trustees face potential prosecution for procurement law violations.
• Audit aims to ensure accountability for the controversial project.

The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) has recommended a forensic audit and potential prosecution of trustees involved in Ghana’s controversial National Cathedral project. According to a report by CHRAJ, the project has faced allegations of corruption, abuse of power, and procurement law violations.

CHRAJ urges audit and prosecution over National Cathedral project

CHRAJ’s findings, detailed in a report dated Nov. 22, 2024, follow a petition from North Tongu MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa. The report highlights breaches in procurement laws, including the awarding of a construction contract to Ribade Company Ltd. CHRAJ concluded that the contract was “void ab initio,” citing violations of Ghana’s Procurement Act (Act 663, amended by Act 914).

The report signed by CHRAJ Commissioner Joseph Whittal recommended that the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) intervene to cancel the contract. “The Board of the Public Procurement Authority should intervene to cancel the contract,” Whittal noted, emphasizing PPA’s authority under procurement laws.

Breaches of procurement laws cast shadow over Ghana’s Cathedral plan

CHRAJ’s report further calls for a forensic audit of the project. The commission noted that over GHS225,962,500 had been spent by May 31, 2022, on “seed money” for site preparation, contractor mobilization, and other expenses. However, it raised concerns about a lack of value for money given the project’s stagnant state.

“Public interest dictates that there ought to be value for money,” CHRAJ stated. Without expertise to determine the issue, the commission urged the Auditor-General to conduct an in-depth financial review.

Additionally, CHRAJ flagged reputational risks stemming from the procurement law breaches, cautioning that such irregularities could lead to “international embarrassment to the country” given the global nature of the project and its partnerships.

Reputational risks mount amid lack of value for money oversight

CHRAJ’s investigation also called for the potential prosecution of the Board of Trustees overseeing the project. The report accused the trustees of disregarding procurement laws in awarding the contract to Ribade Company Ltd. “The Commission further recommends possible prosecution of the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral who superintended over the award of the contract,” CHRAJ noted.

The investigation began following allegations by MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, a vocal critic of the project. Ablakwa’s petition included claims of corruption, abuse of power, and lack of transparency in the project’s execution.

Meanwhile, CHRAJ exonerated Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng, Secretary to the National Cathedral Board of Trustees, in a separate investigation. According to CHRAJ, there was no evidence to support allegations that Boateng used two different identities and passports.

The government and the Board of Trustees have yet to respond to the CHRAJ findings.