CHRAJ Report on National Cathedral Project: Ablakwa Reacts
Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has responded to the recent report by the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) regarding his petition against the National Cathedral project.
Ablakwa described the Commission’s call for a forensic audit and potential prosecution of the Cathedral’s Board of Trustees as evidence of a “blasphemous grand create, loot and share scheme orchestrated by President Akufo-Addo.”
On 16 January 2023, Ablakwa filed a petition with CHRAJ to investigate alleged conflicts of interest related to the payment of GHS 2.6 million to JNS Talent Centre Limited, owned by Rev. Kwabena Adu Gyamfi, also known as Rev. Victor Kusi-Boateng, who serves as Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral.
In a report dated 22 November 2024, CHRAJ revealed that over GH¢225 million had been spent on the project as of 31 May 2022. In the interest of transparency, CHRAJ recommended:
“The Commission recommends that the Auditor-General should conduct a forensic audit on the construction of the National Cathedral project from its inception to date to ascertain whether monies released for its construction have been properly utilized.”
“The Commission further recommends 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.”
Reacting to the report, Ablakwa criticized the government for what he called “reckless” spending on the project and demanded legal action. He stated:
“This is a very damning report. And the board of Trustees of the National Cathedral ought to be very, very worried about this report.”
Ablakwa vowed that a future NDC government would prosecute those implicated under the “Operation Recover All Loot” policy, emphasizing:
“The next NDC government is going to take up these findings. You don’t spend over $58 million and then there’s nothing to show for it in a bankrupt country.”
CHRAJ, however, dismissed Ablakwa’s conflict-of-interest allegations against Rev. Adu Gyamfi, stating:
“The Commission finds that the 4th Respondent did not put himself in a position where his personal interests conflicted or was likely to conflict with the performance of the functions of his office.”
While acknowledging some aspects of the report, Ablakwa argued that CHRAJ “only scratched the surface,” claiming:
“CHRAJ failed to seriously look into the double identity conduct of Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng/Kwabena Adu Gyamfi despite overwhelming evidence placed before it, and despite a high court judgment on the matter.”
Ablakwa pledged to pursue the investigations to their full extent to ensure accountability and transparency in the National Cathedral project.
