The Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) has called for the cancellation of the contract awarded to Ribade Company Limited for the construction of Ghana's National Cathedral. This recommendation follows an extensive investigation into procurement breaches, misuse of state funds, and potential conflicts of interest linked to the project.
The investigation was initiated after a petition by North Tongu Member of Parliament, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, in January 2023. Ablakwa raised concerns over state payments to JNS Talent Centre Ltd and questioned the legality of contracts related to the National Cathedral. He also highlighted potential conflicts of interest involving Reverend Victor Kusi-Boateng, who held roles in both the National Cathedral project and JNS Talent Centre Ltd under different identities.
CHRAJ’s findings revealed that $312,394,049.53 was paid to Ribade Company Limited for the cathedral’s construction. However, the Commission determined that the National Cathedral project did not adhere to the public procurement requirements stipulated in Ghana’s Public Procurement Act (Act 663, as amended by Act 914). This non-compliance rendered the contract with Ribade void from the outset.
The Commission has recommended that the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) exercise its authority to terminate the contract. Furthermore, it has called for an investigation into the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral to explore possible prosecution for overseeing procurement breaches. CHRAJ emphasized that such violations could damage Ghana’s international reputation, given Ribade’s global profile.
The National Cathedral project has been mired in controversy since its inception. Critics argue that it prioritizes religious symbolism over pressing national needs, particularly as public funds were reportedly used despite earlier assurances of private financing. This has led to significant public backlash and questions about the government’s fiscal priorities.
Currently, construction of the cathedral has stalled due to insufficient funding from both government and private sources. The project, a 2016 campaign promise by President Nana Akufo-Addo to honor God, has struggled to garner the necessary financial and public support.
In its report, CHRAJ underscored the importance of adhering to legal frameworks for projects of national significance. It warned that failure to do so could undermine governance standards and expose the country to international scrutiny.
The call for accountability aligns with growing public demand for transparency and better resource management in government projects. As CHRAJ pushes for decisive action, the fate of the National Cathedral project remains uncertain, with its future hinging on compliance with procurement laws and stakeholder consensus.
This article was revised based on a report from OnuaOnline.
blogpay
Total Comments: 0