Kusi Boateng Reportedly Arrested By National Investigations Bureau

• Victor Kusi Boateng has reportedly been detained by the National Investigations Bureau amid controversy over the National Cathedral project
• Boateng was recently cleared of graft accusations by the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice
• Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the North Tongu MP, has been on a crusade to uncover malfeasance in the controversial national cathedral project

A key member of the National Cathedral Board of Trustees, Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng, was reportedly been detained by the National Investigations Bureau.

Citi News reported that he has been detained as part of an investigation into allegations of possessing multiple identities. These reports have been disputed with suggestions that he was picked up over financial loss at the secretariat.

In 2024, the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice exonerated Boateng after corruption claims against him in a related matter.

Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the North Tongu MP, claimed in a petition to the commission Boateng had two passports with different identities. Ablakwa was one of Boateng's fiercest critics over the past few years.

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But the commission in a report, said Boateng held one passport with the name Kwabena Adu Gyamfi and had never been issued a passport with the name Kusi-Boateng as claimed by Ablakwa.

Boateng was facing a possible three-year jail term if found to have possessed multiple identities.

Ablakwa’s petition also alleged a transfer of GH¢2.6 million in cash from the National Cathedral Secretariat to JNS Talent Centre Limited, owned by Boateng under his alleged secondary identity, Kwabena Adu Gyamfi.

The MP said Boateng has 15 companies, eight of which are registered under Kwabena Adu Gyamfi.

However, the commission in the report said the JNS Talent Centre Limited rendered no service to the state.

It explained that Boateng offered to pay contractors for the National Cathedral because, at the time, it was not in good financial standing.

Boateng had advanced payments to contractors working on the National Cathedral project when the Secretariat faced financial challenges.

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Boateng sought injunction against Ablakwa

Boateng made multiple attempts in court to stop Ablakwa from discussing the allegations of dual identities.

His most recent unsuccessful attempt to gag Ablakwa was in June 2024, when an appeal Court dismissed his application.

Boateng had also sought a court injunction against Ablakwa on two previous occasions, but both failed at the High Court.

Other detentions by National Investigations Bureau

The former Public Procurement Authority Board Chairman, Professor Ameyaw-Akumfi was detained by the National Investigative Bureau.

The detention was linked to an ongoing probe into financial dealings which transpired during his tenure as Board Chairman of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF).

Former Minister for Railway Development Joe Ghartey was also invited by the National Intelligence Bureau over the Ghana Sky Train project. The project was announced in 2018 as an infrastructure plan to ease mobility in Accra.

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Under Ghartey, Ghana signed a concession agreement with Africa Investment (Ai) Sky Train Consortium in 2019, with an estimated cost of $3 billion. However, the project never took off, and concerns were raised about its feasibility and financing.

In 2022, the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund disclosed that it had invested $2 million in the project.

Former Deputy Executive Director of the National Service Authority, Gifty Oware-Mensah was detained over the ghost names scandal at the authority.

The National Investigations Bureau also picked up the former National Service Authority deputy Director, Kwaku Ohene Gyan over the scandal.

Attorney-General ordered arrest of Ameyaw-Akumfi

The Attorney-General, Dr Dominic Ayine, caused the arrest of Ameyaw-Akumfi.

Ayine said Ameyaw-Akumfi was questioned over payments made under his tenure as Board Chairman of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund after his arrest on February 23.

The Attorney-General also said Ameyaw-Akumfi admitted that $2 million was paid for no work done, likely on the Sky Train project.

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Parliament probing National Cathedral project

YEN.com.gh reported that the eighth Parliament set up a committee to probe the National Cathedral Construction Project, of which over GH¢300 million has been spent.

The probe follows a motion filed by Ablakwa and six other MPs.

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

Source: YEN.com.gh