National Cathedral: CHRAJ Dismisses Conflict of Interest Allegation Against Rev Kusi Boateng
The Commission on Human Rights Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) has exonerated Rev Victor Kusi Boateng, the Executive Council Member of the Board of Trustees of infamous National Cathedral Ghana of suspicions of conflict of interest.
In January 2023, the North Tongu Constituency Member of Parliament, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa petitioned the Commission to investigate the clergyman and the project in relation to procurement breaches.
The Commission after more than a year released its conclusion on the investigations on November 25, 2024, noting the allegation of conflict of interest is without merit.
“The claims of conflict of interest relating to the fourth respondent is without merit based on the results of the investigations.”
It, however, found merit in the claims of procurement breaches.
“Allegations of breaches of mandatory procurement process under the Public Procurement Act, Act 663 as amended by Act 917 has been justified.”
It recognized that the Board of Trustees are all clergymen without knowledge in corporate governance and thereby the breaches.
As part of its recommendation, it recommended for 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.
“These breaches of the procurement laws have the potential of courting international embarrassment to the country considering its international status and that of Ribade company Ltd.”
It also called for the cancellation of the contract.
“Having found that the contract awarded to Ribade company Ltd is void ab initio for being entered into contrary to the mandatory provisions of the Procurement Act, Act 663 as amended by Act 914 the Commission also recommends that the Board of the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) 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 petitioner is yet to comment on the report.
Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini
