The National Cathedral Secretariat has denied claims made by Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, who alleged that GH2.6 million was given to a company controlled by Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng, a member of the cathedral’s board for no job done.
The lawmaker stated in a tweet that JNS Talent Centre Ltd, which is said to operate a daycare center in Dawhenya, received about GH2.6 million to assist in the construction of the cathedral.
In addition, the lawmaker made additional allegations, including that Kwabena Adu Gyamfi is the owner of JNS Talent.
He claims that Mr. Kwabena Adu Gyamfi is the same person as Rev. Victor Kusi-Boateng, who continues to hold the position of Executive Council Member/Director on the National Cathedral Board, according to records in his possession.
“Unimpeachable and incontrovertible evidence confirms that Mr. Kwabena Adu Gyamfi is the famous Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng who still serves on the National Cathedral Board as an Executive Council Member/Director. For the avoidance of doubt, there is no distinct Kwabena Adu Gyamfi. Kwabena Adu Gyamfi is a criminal creation of Rev. Victor Kusi-Boateng. The two are therefore one and the same.”
But in response, Dr Opoku Mensah, Executive Director of the Secretariat clarified that the GH2.6 million was a reimbursement to JNS talent and not money that was improperly paid to the business.
“As a normal verification – expected of a Member of Parliament – would have revealed, this was not an illegal payment but rather a refund of a short-term interest-free loan made by JNS to top up the payments to the contractors of the National Cathedral.
“This support was sought from a National Cathedral Trustee Member, Rev Kusi Boateng, in a letter dated August 26, 2021 due to a delay in the receipt of funds to pay the Contractors on time. The GHC 2.6m was paid from the JNS account to the National Cathedral account on August 27, 2021, following a request from Rev Kusi Boateng to his bankers, ADB. The GHC 2.6m was refunded to Rev Kusi Boateng, and JNS, by the National Cathedral on September 8, 2021.”
