The Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) has recommended further investigation and potential prosecution of the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral for awarding a $312,394,049.53 contract to Ribade Company Ltd. CHRAJ’s investigation revealed that the contract violated Ghana’s Public Procurement Act 663, deeming it illegal.
The recommendation followed a petition by North Tongu MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who sought an investigation into the National Cathedral project. Among his allegations were breaches of procurement laws, conflict of interest involving Rev. Victor Kusi-Boateng, and questionable payments to JNS Talent Centre Limited.
CHRAJ’s year-long investigation found that the Board of Trustees bypassed mandatory approval from the Central Tender Review Committee, a key requirement under the Procurement Act. This violation, CHRAJ noted, risks tarnishing Ghana’s international reputation.
By May 31, 2022, more than 50% of the contract sum—amounting to GHS 225.96 million—had already been spent on site preparation, contractor mobilization, fundraising, and consultancy services. However, the Commission stated that the project’s stagnant state made it challenging to determine whether there had been value for money.
Public dissatisfaction with the project has grown, with the site frequently described as “the most expensive hole in the world.” Heavy rains have turned parts of the site into pools of water, further fueling public criticism and leading to resignations from the Board of Trustees.
While welcoming the CHRAJ report as “damning,” Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa criticized the Commission for not adequately addressing the double identity allegations involving Rev. Kusi-Boateng. Speaking on 3FM’s Hot Edition, he reaffirmed the need for accountability to safeguard public interest in the controversial project.