The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) has recommended a forensic audit and cancellation of the contract for the National Cathedral project.
This follows a petition by North Tongu MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, a vocal critic of the controversial project, in January 2023.
The lawmaker alleged corruption, abuse of power, and a lack of transparency in the construction process.
In a detailed report dated November 22, 2024, CHRAJ cited several breaches of Ghana’s procurement laws, particularly in awarding the construction contract to Ribade Company Ltd.
CHRAJ concluded that the contract was “void ab initio for being entered into contrary to the mandatory provisions of the Procurement Act, Act 663, as amended by Act 914.”
The report, signed by CHRAJ Commissioner Joseph Whittal, called on the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) to intervene and cancel the contract with Ribade Company Ltd.
“The Board of the Public Procurement Authority should intervene to cancel the contract for the construction of the National Cathedral between the National Cathedral Secretariat and Ribade Company Ltd, as it has the power to do so under the Procurement Act,” the report stated.
Additionally, CHRAJ urged the Auditor-General to conduct a forensic audit of the project, raising concerns about the GH₵225,962,500.00 spent as of May 31, 2022, described as “seed money.”
“This sum of money has been expended on site preparation, contractors’ mobilization, U.S. fundraising, consultants, and symposia.
“Public interest dictates that there ought to be value for money in project execution. Unfortunately, this Commission has no expertise to determine whether there has been value for money, considering the project remains in the same state,” the report noted.
CHRAJ emphasized the reputational risks posed by the project’s controversies, stressing that breaches of procurement laws could attract “international embarrassment to the country considering its international status and that of Ribade Company Ltd.”
Meanwhile, the government and the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral are yet to comment on the report.
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