Lawyers for Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng, Secretary to the National Cathedral Board of Trustees, have welcomed the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) report, asserting that it vindicates him of all allegations of wrongdoing.
The November 22, 2024, CHRAJ report cleared Rev. Kusi Boateng of claims made by North Tongu MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who alleged that the cleric held two passports under different names.
According to the report, Rev. Kusi Boateng possesses only one passport under the name Kwabena Adu Gyamfi and has never held a passport under the name Kusi-Boateng.
Bobby Banson, legal counsel for Rev. Kusi Boateng, emphasised that the CHRAJ findings provide closure to the matter.
“CHRAJ has come up with their conclusion, their findings, or facts, which say that all the allegations made against him were not supported by the evidence on record,” Mr. Banson said on Joy News’ Top Story. “This should bring an end to the hullabaloo that has been made against the personality of Prophet Victor Kusi.”
While exonerating Rev. Kusi Boateng, the CHRAJ report raised serious concerns about the National Cathedral project, including breaches of Ghana’s procurement laws. The Commission recommended a forensic audit and potential prosecution of the project’s trustees.
Key findings include:
- Illegal Contract Award: The construction contract with Ribade Company Ltd was deemed “void ab initio” for violating the mandatory provisions of the Procurement Act, Act 663, as amended.
- Recommendation to Cancel Contract: CHRAJ urged the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) to intervene and cancel the contract.
- Forensic Audit Needed: The Auditor-General was called upon to conduct a forensic and value-for-money audit to evaluate the use of GHS225,962,500.00 in seed money spent as of May 31, 2022.
CHRAJ highlighted the potential for international embarrassment due to the project’s controversies, given its global profile and the involvement of Ribade Company Ltd.
The Commission further recommended:
- Investigation and possible prosecution of the National Cathedral Board of Trustees for awarding the contract in violation of procurement laws.
- Cancellation of the existing contract to align with legal requirements.
The CHRAJ investigation stemmed from a petition by Mr. Ablakwa, who accused Rev. Kusi Boateng of corruption, abuse of power, and holding dual identities. While CHRAJ cleared Rev. Kusi Boateng of the dual identity allegations, it validated Mr. Ablakwa’s concerns about procurement breaches and financial management in the National Cathedral project.
The government and the National Cathedral Board of Trustees have yet to issue a formal response to CHRAJ’s recommendations. Public interest groups and political commentators are now calling for swift action to restore trust and ensure accountability in the management of public resources.