CHRAJ recommends prosecution of National Cathedral board of trustees over contract awarded to Ribade Company

The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) has called for the prosecution of the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral Project, citing violations of Ghana’s procurement laws.

CHRAJ’s recommendation follows an investigation prompted by a petition from North Tongu Member of Parliament, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa. The petition alleged corruption and abuse of power in the handling of the National Cathedral project.

According to CHRAJ’s report, released on Monday, November 25, the board awarded a contract to Ribade Company Ltd without adhering to mandatory provisions of the Public Procurement Act, Act 663, as amended by Act 914. The Commission determined that the contract was void ab initio—invalid from the outset—due to non-compliance with these statutory requirements.

In the report, CHRAJ recommended that the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) Board exercise its power under the Procurement Act to cancel the contract between the National Cathedral project and Ribade Company Ltd.

“Having found that the contract awarded to Ribade Company Ltd is void ab initio for being entered into contrary to the mandatory provisions of the Procurement Act, Act 663 as amended by Act 914, the Commission also recommends that the Board of the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) should intervene to cancel the contract,” the report stated.

Additionally, CHRAJ has urged a forensic audit into the actions of the National Cathedral Board of Trustees, with the aim of prosecuting those responsible for overseeing the unlawful award of the contract.

The Commission emphasised that these breaches of procurement laws not only contravene domestic legislation but also risk tarnishing Ghana’s international reputation.

“These breaches of the procurement laws have the potential of courting international embarrassment to the country, considering its international status and that of Ribade Company Ltd,” CHRAJ noted.

The findings and recommendations are expected to intensify the public discourse surrounding the National Cathedral project, which has faced criticism over issues of accountability and transparency.