The Member of Parliament for North Tongu and Chairman of Parliament’s Assurances Committee, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has expressed grave concerns over findings detailed in the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) report on his complaint regarding the controversial National Cathedral project.
His response underscored allegations of procurement violations, corruption, and administrative misconduct in the execution of the project. In a statement outlining key revelations from CHRAJ, Hon. Ablakwa highlighted six critical points that he believes validate his longstanding concerns about the project’s governance.
“The contract awarded to RIBADE by the Board of Trustees is illegal and void as it violates Ghana’s procurement laws; The Board of Trustees did not seek concurrent approval from the Central Tender Review Committee”.
Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, MP of North Tongu and Chairman of the Assurances Committee of Parliament
The North Tongu lawmaker further pointed out that the report indicates that the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral did not adhere to Ghana’s Public Procurement Act (Act 663), a legal requirement for public procurement processes.
Hon. Ablakwa described this revelation as a glaring violation of Ghana’s procurement laws, adding that it undermines transparency and accountability in the use of public funds.
Suspicion of Corruption, Call for Contract Cancellation and Prosecution
The CHRAJ report further raised reasonable suspicion of corruption and corruption-related offences in the award of the RIBADE contract. This finding, according to Hon. Ablakwa, corroborates concerns that the National Cathedral project has been marred by unethical practices.
The National Democratic Congress MP hailed CHRAJ’s recommendation that the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) exercise its powers under the Procurement Act to cancel the illegal contract awarded to RIBADE. He emphasized that it is a necessary step to restore public confidence in governance and ensure accountability.
In a move likely to heighten political and public scrutiny, CHRAJ has called for further investigations into the conduct of the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral. The Commission recommends possible prosecution for their role in awarding the illegal contract.
Hon. Ablakwa urged law enforcement agencies to act swiftly and decisively on this recommendation, noting that impunity must not be allowed to fester.
Double Identity Allegations Ignored
However, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa also expressed disappointment with CHRAJ’s apparent reluctance to thoroughly investigate the double identity controversy surrounding Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng, also known as Kwabena Adu Gyamfi.
He pointed out that despite overwhelming evidence and a high court judgment on the matter, CHRAJ did not delve into these allegations with the seriousness they deserved, asserting that this omission leaves unanswered questions about governance and ethical oversight within the National Cathedral project.
Summing up his reaction, Hon. Ablakwa described the National Cathedral project as a “blasphemously grand create, loot, and share scheme.” He criticized President Akufo-Addo’s administration for presiding over what he termed as an unethical and corrupt initiative disguised as a religious project.
Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa’s detailed response to CHRAJ’s findings reinforces the growing demand for accountability and justice in the National Cathedral saga. His call for prosecutions, coupled with CHRAJ’s recommendations, is expected to reignite public debate on the governance and ethical dimensions of the controversial project.
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