The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) has declared the construction contract awarded to Ribade Company Ltd for the National Cathedral project unlawful, recommending its cancellation and calling for a forensic audit and possible prosecution of the Board of Trustees overseeing the project.

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In a report dated November 22, 2024, CHRAJ cited several breaches of Ghana’s procurement laws, concluding that the contract was “void ab initio” for violating mandatory provisions of the Procurement Act, Act 663, as amended by Act 914. The Commission urged the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) to intervene and cancel the contract immediately.

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“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, signed by CHRAJ Commissioner Joseph Whittal, stated.

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The investigation, triggered by a petition from North Tongu MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, uncovered irregularities surrounding GHS225,962,500.00 spent as “seed money” on-site preparation, contractor mobilization, fundraising, consultants, and symposia as of May 31, 2022. CHRAJ called for a forensic audit by the Auditor-General to assess value for money on the project, which remains incomplete.

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CHRAJ also expressed concerns about the potential reputational damage caused by the violations, noting that breaches of procurement laws could attract “international embarrassment to the country.”The report further recommended investigations and possible prosecution of the Board of Trustees for their role in awarding the contract in violation of procurement regulations.However, CHRAJ exonerated Rev.

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Victor Kusi Boateng, Secretary to the National Cathedral Board of Trustees, from allegations of possessing two passports with different names. The report clarified that Rev. Kusi Boateng, also known as Kwabena Adu Gyamfi, holds only one passport under the name Adu Gyamfi.The government and the National Cathedral Board of Trustees are yet to respond to the findings and recommendations.National-Cathedral-DecisionDownload

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