National Cathedral: Special Prosecutor Probes Alleged Corruption, Ken Ofori-Atta Named In Report

• The Special Prosecutor has launched an investigation into alleged corruption in the controversial National Cathedral project
• The new probe follows a referral from the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice
• President John Mahama also announced plans to investigate the National Cathedral Project

The Office of the Special Prosecutor has launched an investigation into alleged corruption and procurement irregularities in the controversial National Cathedral project.

This probe follows a referral from the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice.

According to the special prosecutor's December 2024 half-yearly report, the probe will focus on the procurement of contractors and materials, payments made, and the involvement of former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta.

This report came after President John Mahama announced plans to investigate the National Cathedral Project.

Mahama again questioned the financial prudence of the project within the context of Ghana's economic hardship.

The project started in 2020 after then-President Akufo-Addo claimed he had made a pledge to God.

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However, the project, which covers 3.5 hectares of land in Accra, has stalled since 2023 because of lack of funds.

Ofori-Atta previously told Parliament that most of the $58m spent on the project had come from the national coffers.

Key findings from earlier probe

In November 2024, the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice recommended a forensic audit of the board members of the National Cathedral Project.

The commission justified this recommendation by citing the violation of procurement laws in line with a petition by Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the MP for North Tongu.

The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice stated that it had not found any element of corruption in the case but said the breaches noted raised 'reasonable suspicion of corruption'.

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

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The company was given the $312 million contract for the project without due process, and the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice has urged the Public Procurement Authority to cancel it.

It also indicated plans to refer the matter to the Office of the Special Prosecutor or the Attorney-General for further investigations and possible sanctions.

National Cathedral trustees under scrutiny

The Trustees reportedly under the microscope are:

1. Apostle Prof. Opoku Onyinah: Chairman of the Church of Pentecost (Chairman)
2. Archbishop Charles Palmer-Buckle: Metropolitan Catholic Archbishop, Cape Coast (Vice Chairman)
3. Rev Victor Kusi-Boateng: Founder of Power Chapel Worldwide (Secretary)
4. Most Rev. Bishop Justice Ofei Akrofi: Anglican Archbishop Emeritus (Board Member)
5. Rt. Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Martey: former Moderator of the Presbyterian Church (Board Member)
6. Most Rev T. K. Awotwi Pratt: Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church (Board Member)
7. Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams: Presiding Archbishop and General Overseer of Action Chapel International (Board Member)
8. Rev Dr Joyce Aryee: Executive Director, Salt and Light Ministries (Board Member)
9. Bishop Dag Heward-Mills: Presiding Bishop, Lighthouse Group of Churches (Board Member)
10. Rev Eastwood Anaba: Founder and President of Eastwood Anaba Ministries (Board Member)
11. Rev Dr Frimpong Manso: General Superintendent, Assemblies of God (Board Member)

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Archbishop Duncan-Williams and Rev Eastwood Anaba resigned after expressing concerns about the perceived lack of transparency.

Parliament probing National Cathedral project

YEN.com.gh reported that the previous Parliament sanctioned a committee to probe the controversial National Cathedral Construction Project.

The probe followed a motion filed by Ablakwa and six other legislators.

The Second Deputy Speaker at the time expressed concern that too much money had been spent on the project, with little evidence of results.

Proofread by Samuel Gitonga, Copy Editor at YEN.com.gh

Source: YEN.com.gh