The National Cathedral project in Ghana has been under the spotlight, not just for its stalled construction but also for accusations of corruption and identity fraud. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, has raised serious concerns about the role of Victor Kusi Boateng, also known as Kwabena Adu Gyamfi, in the project. These allegations have sparked a national debate, with many calling for answers about how public funds were managed and why multiple identities are involved.
The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) recently released a report on this issue, but its findings have only added to the controversy. Ablakwa accuses CHRAJ of conducting a "whitewash mission," saying the commission failed to properly address the most critical aspects of the case. He questions how someone could operate under two names and dates of birth without consequences.
In its report, CHRAJ stated that there is no record of Victor Kusi Boateng in the passport database. However, it confirmed that four passports were issued to Kwabena Adu Gyamfi, with the same date of birth listed on all of them. Ablakwa finds this conclusion baffling because CHRAJ also referred to Victor Kusi Boateng, a.k.a. Kwabena Adu Gyamfi, as the fourth respondent in the case. This contradiction, according to Ablakwa, points to a lack of thorough investigation.
Ablakwa presented additional evidence to back his claims. He revealed documents from the National Cathedral's incorporation in 2019, where Victor Kusi Boateng was listed with a birth date of September 7, 1971. Yet, a diplomatic passport issued under the name Kwabena Adu Gyamfi lists his birth date as December 30, 1969. These inconsistencies, Ablakwa argues, are not just clerical errors but could be evidence of fraud. He also cited voter registration records. In 2016, Victor Kusi Boateng was issued a voter ID stating he was 40 years old. However, in 2020, a voter ID was issued to Kwabena Adu Gyamfi, claiming he was 50 years old. This suggests deliberate manipulation of official records.
The CHRAJ report acknowledged these discrepancies but noted that it could not investigate allegations of false declarations and multiple tax identification numbers because they occurred before Kusi Boateng became a public official in 2017. Instead, CHRAJ referred these matters to the Attorney-General for further investigation. It also mentioned sections of Ghana’s Criminal Offences Act, which state that making false declarations to gain public office or other privileges is a misdemeanor. Ablakwa is urging authorities to take these laws seriously and hold those involved accountable.
Beyond the identity issue, the National Cathedral project itself has raised significant concerns. Construction has been halted, and materials such as cranes and iron rods lie unused at the site. CHRAJ’s investigation revealed that as of May 31, 2022, the government had released GHS 225.9 million as seed money for the project. However, the commission admitted that it lacked the expertise to determine if the funds were properly spent. As a result, it has recommended a forensic audit by the Auditor-General.
Ablakwa has not held back in criticizing the way the project has been managed. He questions why such a large sum of public money was allocated without clear accountability. He believes that the halted construction and idle equipment are signs of mismanagement and possibly corruption. For him, the National Cathedral has become a symbol of waste and unfulfilled promises.
This situation has sparked widespread public interest and concern. Many Ghanaians are asking tough questions about how their money is being used. The National Cathedral was meant to be a place of worship and a symbol of unity, but it has instead become a source of division and suspicion. Ablakwa’s revelations about Victor Kusi Boateng’s dual identities only add to the mistrust surrounding the project.
The MP’s call for a deeper investigation into both the funding and the identity issues is gaining support. People want to know how someone can use different names and dates of birth for official purposes and why this has gone unchecked for so long. They also want transparency about the millions of cedis allocated to the project.
As the case unfolds, many are looking to the Attorney-General and the Auditor-General to provide answers. If the allegations are proven true, it could lead to significant consequences for those involved and set a precedent for accountability in public projects. Ghanaians are hoping that this controversy will result in greater transparency and better management of public funds in the future.
The National Cathedral was envisioned as a unifying project, but it now stands as a reminder of the importance of honesty and accountability. For many, it is not just about building a structure but about restoring trust in public institutions and ensuring that leaders are held to the highest standards of integrity.
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