Lawyers for Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng say the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) report is sufficient to refute all allegations of wrongdoing against the Secretary of the National Cathedral Board of Trustees.

According to them, the inability of the complainant, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, to provide substantial evidence to the commission to back his claims further solidifies their position.

This follows CHRAJ’s November 22 report, which exonerated Rev. Kusi Boateng of allegations that he holds two passports under different names.

The report clarified that Rev. Kusi Boateng possesses only one passport under the name Kwabena Adu Gyamfi and has never been issued a passport with the name Kusi-Boateng, as alleged.

• Read also: CHRAJ clears Rev. Kusi Boateng of conflict of interest, says he doesn’t own 2 passports with different names

Speaking on Top Story on Monday, the lawyer Bobby Banson says this must bring some finality to the controversy.

"So there cannot be different facts. At the end of the day, CHRAJ has come up with their conclusion, their findings or facts which say that all the allegations made against him were not supported by the evidence on record and I believe that it settles the matter of all the hullabaloo that has been made against the personality of the Prophet Victor Kusi. This should bring an end to this matter."

Meanwhile, CHRAJ recommended a forensic audit and potential prosecution of the trustees of the National Cathedral project.

The report highlights several breaches of Ghana’s procurement laws, particularly in the award of the construction contract to Ribade Company Ltd.

• Read also: National Cathedral: CHRAJ recommends investigation, contract cancellation, possible prosecution

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 the Commissioner of CHRAJ, 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 and Ribade Company as it has the power to do so under the Procurement Act.”

Additionally, CHRAJ urged the Auditor-General to conduct a forensic audit of the project, citing concerns about the GHS225,962,500.00 spent as of May 31, 2022, described as “seed money.”

“This sum of money has been expended on-site preparation, contractors’ mobilization, US fundraising, consultants, and symposia,” the report noted.

“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.”

CHRAJ expressed concern over the reputational risks posed by the project’s controversies, emphasizing that breaches of procurement laws could attract “international embarrassment to the country considering its international status and that of Ribade Company Ltd.”

The Commission further recommended that the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral be subjected to investigation and possible prosecution for their role in awarding the contract in violation of procurement laws.

“The Commission further recommends 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,” the report stated.

The investigation was triggered by a petition from MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who has been a vocal critic of the National Cathedral project. He alleged corruption, abuse of power, and a lack of transparency in its construction.

The government and the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral have yet to respond to the findings and recommendations.

Read Also: CHRAJ clears Rev. Kusi Boateng of conflict of interest, says he doesn’t own 2 passports with different names

Meanwhile, CHRAJ has exonerated Reverend Victor Kusi Boateng of the Power House Chapel and Secretary to the National Cathedral Board of Trustees over allegations that he holds two passports with two different names.