North Tongu Member of Parliament, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has made claims that his inquiries and checks with American authorities reveal criminal activity in some of the incorporation paperwork for the National Cathedral of Ghana’s fundraising section.
The allegations, backed, by documents were posted on his social media handles on May 4, 2023 in what he said was the second installment of the American Edition of National Cathedral Scandals.
In the first part of his disclosures, Ablakwa provided evidence by way of registration documents to show that the National Cathedral of Ghana had registered a subsidiary in Washington under a different name and that it different ‘governors’ – the American term for trustees.
On the issue of the use of false identity used to register the American fundraising wing, which the Cathedral Secertariat described as a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), he said a dead Hispanic’s details were behind the particular serial number used in the March 2021 registration.
“Painstaking and unimpeachable investigations shockingly reveal that the March 2021 incorporation of the National Cathedral of Ghana and Bible Museum Foundation, Inc in Washington, D.C. was criminally executed through IDENTITY THEFT.
“By an intercepted IRS tax exempt letter dated December 13, 2021 — I can confirm that the Employer ID Number for the National Cathedral of Ghana and Bible Museum Foundation, Inc is: 86-3859197. (See letter attached).
“Further irrefutable forensic investigations reveal that the Social Security Number of: 863-85-9197 used to generate the Cathedral’s Employer ID Number belongs to one Jose Salgado. (See evidence attached).”
His writeup continued: “Deeper investigations and impregnable gold-standard validation which include a report from police database has established that 31 year-old Jose Salgado who has many aliases including Jose Luis Delapaz, Jose Isabel Salgado, Jose Luis Paz and Jose L De was born in March 1983 and died on September 17, 2014. (See extract attached).
“It has therefore emerged beyond any scintilla of doubt that the Social Security Number of a deceased young male Hispanic who died 9 years ago was fraudulently used to incorporate Ghana’s national cathedral in Washington, D.C.” he added.
North Tongu MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwahas insisted that his campaign against the contentious National Cathedral project is not motivated by personal gain.
He said his quest is to protect the State’s scarce resources and not allow a few people to misuse same.
According to him, over $58 million has been taken from state coffers and invested into the project.
The former Deputy Education Ministersays his focus is to ensure state funds are used with appropriate approvals for the right projects for the Ghanaian people.
“Let me be clear that the emphasis will not be on cost or monetary gain. This has never been about the monetary gain and that is not money that is going to come to me.
“It is about justice. It is about accountability. Public funds are being expended without accounting to the people. Over $58 million has been taken out of our coffers without parliamentary approval. That is my concern,” he said in a JoyNews interview on Tuesday, May 2.
Early on in the day, the High Court dismissed a contempt case against Mr Ablakwa for refusing service of court processes because according to him, it was not a proper service.
According to the court, the evidence presented by the plaintiff, Victor Kusi Boateng is fraught with inconsistencies and doubt.
It added that the contempt application, therefore failed to meet the legal standard of proof beyond a reasonable doubt.
NDC’s General Secretary, Fifi Kwetey speaking shortly after the ruling said the case was an exercise in futility.
Member of Parliament for North Tongu and anti-corruption crusader Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has been relentless in his pursuit to uncover all alleged corrupt activities surrounding the National Cathedral project in Ghana.
The latest bombshell is photos and details of one Mr Cary Lee Summers, who has reportedly received some US$6m from the government as the Consultant for the United States on Ghana’s National Cathedral project.
In a detailed Facebook post updating Ghanaians on his recent discovery about the project, Ablakwa outlined some questionable decisions and transactions involved in the acquisition of a certificate of incorporation for the NC in the United States of America.
During his investigations in the United States of America, Mr Ablakwa visited several venues and took pictures to support his exposé. In two of these pictures, a Caucasian male who appears to be in his fifties is seen lurking in the background.
Ablakwa described the man as Mr Cary Lee Summers in his Facebook post and said, “Mr Summers made it into my pictures while briskly entering his car,” suggesting that Mr Summers’ picture was not deliberately taken.
How did this come about?
Ablakwa disclosed in his report that he had visited Springfield, Missouri in pursuit of the truth about an address Mr Cary Lee Summers provided as his company, the Nehemiah Group’s address, which according to Ablakwa he also provides on official documents filed with US authorities.
According to Ablakwa, this decision stemmed from the information gathered that “on the ‘National’ Cathedral website, the website of Nehemiahgroup.io, and with official documents filed with US authorities, Cary Lee Summers provides this address ‘3119 S Scenic Ave, Suite A, Springfield, MO 65807,’ as the physical address of the Nehemiah Group.
Mr Cary Lee Summers (As seen on nationalcathedralghana.org) Mr Cary Lee Summers’s address as seen on nehemiahgroup.io:portfolioThe National Cathedral listed under the Portfolio page on nehemiahgroup.io:portfolio
Upon arrival, Ablakwa recounts that there was nothing at the location concerning Nehemiah Group. Instead, he and his team spotted “a ramshackle warehouse with the inscription: Churchill Coffee Company, Wholesale Division.” It was at this point Mr. Summers would show up.
The moment where Mr. Summers’ pictures were “taken” by Mr Ablakwa briefly followed after Mr Summers reportedly stepped out of a coffee wholesale division nearby and passed in the background of some pictures Mr Ablakwa was taking of himself at the location as evidence of his findings.
“While I was assessing the shacky warehouse which has portions used as a gym, Mr. Cary Lee Summers stepped out of his coffee wholesale division and made it into my pictures while briskly entering his car in very casual attire,” he wrote.
The alleged Mr. Summers had on a black T-shirt and what looked like American flag-branded bike shorts with grey sneakers. He also has tucked to his chest, what looked like other clothes and a coffee cup in his hand.
“How on earth did a Nehemiah Group address with its CEO keeping our colossal US$6 million under a bankrupt economy lead us to a warehouse?” he quizzed.
While some argue that the alleged pictures of Mr. Summers were inappropriately or unethically acquired, others assert that Mr. Ablakwa did not maliciously take those pictures as they just happened to be candid photos that have a passer-by that happens to be Mr. Summers.
This is part of the several revelations in Part 1 of Ablakwa’s latest “National” Cathedral exposé. Ablakwa’s dedication to uncovering alleged corrupt activities surrounding the National Cathedral project has gained him a reputation as an anti-corruption crusader.
“In this latest instalment of ‘National’ Cathedral transgressions, my international partners and I will be focusing attention on findings from our investigations into the Akufo-Addo government’s cathedral operations in the United States of America,” Ablakwa wrote.
Okudzeto Ablakwa has been vocal about his opposition to the National Cathedral project, which is a government-sponsored initiative to build a Christian worship centre in Accra.
He has made countless allegations of corruption and fraud against the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral and its secretary, Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng. He claims that the project will cost the country about $1 billion, instead of the initial $100 million budget, and has promised to release more explosive documents.
Today, a court ruling on a contempt application filed by Rev. Kusi Boateng against him went in his favour.
In response, he wrote on Facebook, “It’s certainly great that an Accra High Court today dismissed Kwabena Adu Gyamfi & Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng’s contempt application which demanded that I be committed to prison with cost of GHS10,000 awarded against him. Now the distraction is off; expect more US explosives on Thursday. For God and Country. Ghana First.”
He says he will not be silenced by the legal threats and will continue to expose the truth about the National Cathedral.
The contempt case against North Tongu MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, filed by Rev Victor Kusi Boateng has been dismissed by the High Court.
According to the court, the evidence presented by the plaintiff, Victor Kusi Boateng is fraught with inconsistencies and doubt.
It added that the contempt application, therefore, failed to meet the legal standard of proof beyond a reasonable doubt.
NDC’s General Secretary, Fifi Kwetey speaking shortly after the ruling said the case was an exercise in futility.
According to the former Ketu South MP, it was an attempt to stop the truth.
“We were absolutely in no doubt at all. We knew that the truth will definitely prevail. It was clearly an exercise in futility. It was a waste of everyone’s time and attempt to stop what we knew was the truth.
“It is sad that the country has been reduced to this as people who are actually doing what is right have to be put through this,” he said.
A motion filed by Rev Kusi Boateng, Secretary to the Board of the National Cathedral sought to have the North Tongu MP, Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa restrained and imprisoned for allegedly kicking court documents.
Rev Kusi Boateng, also known as Kwabena Adu Gyamfi, in a contempt summons on Tuesday, February 7, said: “I am informed by my Counsel and verily believe same to be true that this Honourable Court has the power to commit the Respondent to prison for his conduct to protect the whole administration of justice and serve as a deterrent to other persons.”
The process follows claims that the MP kicked a writ being served on him by a court bailiff on Friday, February 3.
However, the court disagreed with the plaintiff and threw out the application.
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Member of Parliament for North Tongu has made a new discovery regarding the National Cathedral.
The lawmaker, who has been an avid critic of the project alleging waste of public funds and corporate governance breaches against the project has revealed new details about the project after a trip to the United States.
In a Facebook post dated May 2, the MP revealed that he had applied for and received registration documents of the project from the relevant US authorities.
He observed that there were only three persons listed as board members, one of which is the Executive Secretary of the project Dr. Paul Opoku-Mensah and two others, who until date were in no way connected publicly with the project.
Ablakwa wondered why no member of the Board of Trustees back home, some of who are eminent clergymen respected even in the United States were absent from the documentation.
He added that checks at the Washington DC address provided as offices of the project showed that they did not and had never prior operated from the said facility.
“Articles of Incorporation we have secured from the District of Columbia Government’s Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (corporation’s division) confirm that a nonprofit corporation has been registered known as the “National Cathedral of Ghana and Bible Museum Foundation, Inc.” (Articles of Incorporation duly attached).
“This National Cathedral of Ghana and Bible Museum Foundation, Inc. received its Certificate of Incorporation with its effective date being May 3, 2021 and signed by Josef G. Gasimov, Superintendent of Corporations, Corporations Division. (See certificate attached).
“It is worthy of note that the name National Cathedral of Ghana and Museum Foundation, Inc. is unmistakably different from what was incorporated in Ghana some two years prior, specifically on the 18th of July, 2019 as the National Cathedral of Ghana.
“Curiously, we have also discovered that none of the prominent Ministers of the Gospel who serve as Trustees of the National Cathedral of Ghana feature in the articles of incorporation and list of governors as submitted to US authorities.
“The names of governors and authorized persons as contained in the Two-Year Report for Domestic & Foreign Filing Entity are: Dr. Paul Opoku-Mensah, Eric Okyere Darko and Dr. Vernon Darko. (See Report attached).
“In US corporate terms “governor” typically refers to a member of the board of directors,” Ablakwa’s post read in part.
What Ablakwa said about the US address:
Even more shocking, we have discovered that the address provided on both the “National” Cathedral of Ghana website and to US authorities as the official address of the National Cathedral of Ghana and Bible Museum Foundation, Inc. is absolutely fraudulent.
The advertised address is: National Cathedral of Ghana and Bible Museum Foundation, Inc. 1090 Vermont AVE NW, Washington, DC 20005.
“A personal visit to this address in Washington, DC and thorough verification from managers of the property indicate that the National Cathedral of Ghana and Bible Museum Foundation, Inc. has never been a tenant at that address.
“Indeed, none of the offices of the 12-floor apartment building has ever been occupied by the National Cathedral of Ghana and Bible Museum Foundation, Inc. or any agency representing this entity. The managers of the property were furious and clear that what was going on was simply criminal.”
Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has provided Ghanaians five pieces of staggering information about the national cathedral project just as promised on May 1, 2023.
The latest information comes on the back of a trip to the United States of America by the MP.
Mr Ablakwa in a write-up revealed that the project is registered in the US state of Washington DC under the name: “National Cathedral of Ghana and Bible Museum Foundation, Inc.”
“Articles of Incorporation we have secured from the District of Columbia Government’s Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (corporation’s division) confirm that a nonprofit corporation has been registered known as the “National Cathedral of Ghana and Bible Museum Foundation, Inc.”
This National Cathedral of Ghana and Bible Museum Foundation, Inc. received its Certificate of Incorporation with its effective date being May 3, 2021 and signed by Josef G. Gasimov, Superintendent of Corporations, Corporations Division.
According to him, the name National Cathedral of Ghana and Museum Foundation, Inc. is unmistakably different from what was incorporated in Ghana some two years prior, specifically on the 18th of July, 2019 as the National Cathedral of Ghana.
No member of clergy listed in US documents
He also claimed that even though there are three members listed as trustees in the US documentation, only one of them contained in counterpart registration papers of the National Cathedral of Ghana.
“Curiously, we have also discovered that none of the prominent Ministers of the Gospel who serve as Trustees of the National Cathedral of Ghana feature in the articles of incorporation and list of governors as submitted to US authorities.
The names of governors and authorized persons as contained in the Two-Year Report for Domestic & Foreign Filing Entity, he said, are: Dr. Paul Opoku-Mensah, Eric Okyere Darko and Dr. Vernon Darko.
“In US corporate terms “governor” typically refers to a member of the board of directors.
“We know Dr. Paul Opoku-Mensah as the Executive Director of the “National” Cathedral Secretariat, however, it is unclear why government preferred Mr. Eric Okyere Darko and Dr. Vernon Darko over and above the prominent clergy serving on the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral of Ghana,” he stated.
Address to US registration is fraudulent
“Even more shocking, we have discovered that the address provided on both the “National” Cathedral of Ghana website and to US authorities as the official address of the National Cathedral of Ghana and Bible Museum Foundation, Inc. is absolutely fraudulent. The advertised address is: National Cathedral of Ghana and Bible Museum Foundation, Inc. 1090 Vermont AVE NW, Washington, DC 20005.
“A personal visit to this address in Washington, DC and thorough verification from managers of the property indicate that the National Cathedral of Ghana and Bible Museum Foundation, Inc. has never been a tenant at that address.
“Indeed, none of the offices of the 12-floor apartment building has ever been occupied by the National Cathedral of Ghana and Bible Museum Foundation, Inc. or any agency representing this entity. The managers of the property were furious and clear that what was going on was simply criminal,” the post read in part.
Ablakwa ‘busts’ American consultant to project
We also decided to embark on the long travel to Springfield in Missouri where Mr. Cary Lee Summers who has been given US$6million of our money is described on the National Cathedral of Ghana website as “Consultant for the United States.”
On the “National” Cathedral website, the website of Nehemiahgroup.io and with official documents filed with US authorities, Cary Lee Summers provides this address for his Nehemiah Group: 3119 S Scenic Ave, Suite A, Springfield, MO 65807.
When we arrived at that address, there was nothing about the Nehemiah Group. We surprisingly saw quite a ramshackle warehouse with the inscription: Churchill Coffee Company, Wholesale Division.
While I was assessing the shacky warehouse which has portions used as a gym, Mr. Cary Lee Summers stepped out of his coffee wholesale division and made it into my pictures while briskly entering his car in very casual attire
Ablakwa reveals identity of two ‘unknown’ men in US incorporation documents
Checks conducted indicate that Mr. Eric Okyere Darko was appointed to the Board of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF) by President Akufo-Addo and sworn in by Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta on October 12, 2021 — a few months after he was listed as one of three governors of the National Cathedral of Ghana and Bible Museum Foundation, Inc.
Mr. Eric Okyere Darko was also one of Hon. Kennedy Agyapong’s lawyers in the recent case against Anas.
Dr. Vernon Darko on the other hand is said to be the founder and CEO of EQUIPXP® (EXP) and a small business exporter. It is not clear what his usefulness will be to a National Cathedral project.
Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has assured Ghanaians that he will in a few days to come release fresh scandalous information on the National Cathedral project being undertaken by government.
Mr Ablakwa made the pledge after informing the public of his progress with Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice over some individuals dubious roles in the construction of the cathedral.
He noted that “CHRAJ has formally written to me indicating they are continuing with investigations into my Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng/Kwabena Adu Gyamfi conflict of interest petition.”
CHRAJ subsequently requested additional documentation of which he noted that was promptly and dutifully submitted on 9th of March, 2023.
In his update, the North Tongu MP also indicated that Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng/Kwabena Adu Gyamfi contempt case brought against him is expected to be finally determined next month.
According to him, the High Court has slated judgement for May 5, 2023.
Despite the yet-to be completed investigation by CHRAJ and the court case, Mr Ablakwa stated that “the Son of Man shall not be silenced!” adding that “Ghanaians should expect fresh series of ‘National’ Cathedral Scandals in a few days.”
Mr. Ablakwa has accused Rev. Kusi Boateng, who is also the Secretary to the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral, of having double identity, alleging that the Reverend had multiple identity cards with different names.
He alleged that there was a transfer of GH¢2.6million from the National Cathedral Secretariat to JNS Talent Centre Limited, owned by Rev. Kusi-Boateng, under a secondary identity – Kwabena Adu Gyamfi.
The Rev. Kusi Boateng in response, secured a restraining order against Mr Ablakwa barring him from making public any “disclosures of private documents, correspondence, communication and property belonging to the applicant” for ten days.
Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has as a matter of urgency, called on the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to finalise its investigations into the 2020 electoral violence and sanction the respective offenders.
According to Mr Ablakwa in a Facebook post on Wednesday, April 12, 2023, addressing past electoral violence would prevent a recurrence, particularly when tension is building up ahead of the 2024 elections.
“When CHRAJ and other institutions show patriotic courage by eventually taking action on the 2020 gruesome killings, they will be helping to prevent an escalation in 2024,” he wrote.
He noted that “the international community is deeply worried particularly about unresolved killings and alarming levels of corruption in Ghana” as captured in the 2022 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices published by the U.S. Department of State.
The report highlights the 2020 election killings and how none of the investigations officials announced have been completed, and no perpetrator has been brought to justice.
For Mr Ablakwa, this is significantly troubling as Ghana prepares for another round of presidential and parliamentary elections next year.
Venting his spleen, the North Tongu MP also chastised President Akufo-Addo for his inability to publicly condemn the loss of lives during the previous elections, as well as commiserate with the bereaved families – arguing that his silence has emboldened several others to make statements that derail Ghana’s democracy.
“President Akufo-Addo has heartlessly refused to make any public comment on the killings or commiserate with grieving families even though it occurred under his watch as Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces and even though he was the greatest beneficiary of that bloody election” he said.
Mr Ablakwa also took a swipe at the Member of Parliament for Abetifi, Bryan Acheampong, for his recent comment over the weekend that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) will hold on to power at all cost.
“The likes of BraggadociosBryan Acheampong to (have) lawlessly promise(d) more violence and mayhem during the 2024 election. And as was predicted, the security services have been toothless, helpless and hapless following the now infamous incendiary war mongering statements from the Cabinet Minister,” he bemoaned.
Mr Acheampong’s comments have brought divided opinions from the NPP and opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) and compelled the National Peace Council to hold a meeting with the political parties over comments inciting violence.
It is in view of this that Mr Ablakwa has charged CHRAJ to expedite investigations into electoral violence that ensued in areas such as Tamale, Techiman, Odorkor, Ablekuma, Savelugu, last two years – leaving about eight people dead.
In 2021, Mr Ablakwa and MP for Ellembelle, Emmanuel Armah Buah, petitioned CHRAJ to look into the unfortunate incident.
It has been two years and the Commission is yet to provide their findings to the general public.
Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Smauel Okudzeto Ablakwa has commended his fellow MPs on the Minority side for ensuring that Parliament did not approve two loans being sought by the government.
Describing the government of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as being addicted to borrowing, Ablakwa said the minority on Friday blocked the approval of two loan agreements amounting to US$210 million.
“The Akufo-Addo/Bawumia/Ofori-Atta government is notoriously incorrigible. Despite plunging Ghana into debt distress and bankruptcy, they are still chronically addicted to borrowing.
“I commend NDC MPs for mounting Friday’s successful blockade of these US$150million and US$60million loan requests,” he wrote in a Facebook post.
Meanwhile, parliament on Friday passed three new tax measures during an extended sitting.
The said taxes also faced stiff opposition from the Minority Caucus in the House but the Majority managed to marshall all their numbers on the day to get the taxes passed.
The three new taxes are: Excise Duty Amendment Bill 2022, the Growth and Sustainability Levy Bill, 2022 and the Income Tax Amendment Bill 2022.
The bills were presented to Parliament as part of government’s plans to raise about GH¢4 billion annually in domestic revenue mobilisation.
They are also crucial to help secure Board Approval for the US$3 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) Programme after a staff-level agreement was reached late last year.
As part of measures to meet the criteria set by the IMF to qualify for a bailout, the government has completed tariff adjustment by the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), Publication of the Auditor-General’s Report on COVID-19 spending, and Onboarding of Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund), District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) and Road Fund on Ghana integrated financial management information system (GIFMIS).
Government in justifying the introduction of the taxes said they are critical for recovery from the current economic crisis.
The representative for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has criticised the Minority for increasing the size of government by approving all six of President Akufo-Addo‘s ministerial nominees.
The swipe comes after the Presidency released the report on the number of staffers at the Presidency.
The number of employees has increased from 934 in 2020 to 995 in 2021 and 1048 this year.
The North Tongu legislature believes rejection of the new nominees would have sent a strong signal to the government about the protest to its large size.
“I am sure that if last Friday, March 24, all 136 of us had voted rejecting those new 8 appointees, I don’t think President Nana Addo would have had the courage to do this. In the sense, I’m forced to blame some of my colleagues, the traitors among us who have brought us here”.
“Because we are basically emboldening this President, telling him that he can do his worst because allies within the opposition will continue to cheer you on in secret. We will continue to endorse your callous policies. And I am deeply pained, so horrified and hurt by the treachery of some of our colleagues”.
A document submitted to Parliamentby the Office of the President revealed that 1048 staffers work at the Presidency serving various administrative and domestic roles.
The report submitted to Parliament is in accordance with section 11 of the Presidential Office Act, 1993 (Act 463).
The report covers three key areas, namely the number of Presidential Staff employed at the Office of the President during the period, the ranks and grades of these staff, and employees of other Public Services assigned to the Office of the President.
The report revealed that during the reporting period, there were two (2) Ministers of State and forty-four (44) Senior Presidential Staffers at post. The other Political Appointees at the Office of the President numbered three hundred and fifteen (315).
It appears the camp of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has not recovered from the shock of being betrayed by some MPs who voted in favor of the six ministerial appointees of President Akufo-Addo, against the party’s decision.
Many party faithfuls have outrightly condemned the act.
One MP who seems deeply hurt by the move is North Tongu MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who has on various occasions called out the ‘traitor’ MPs over the act.
In his latest post, he has challenged the MPs who defied the party’s decision to step forward.
“No one is convinced that these fifth columnists acted in good conscience, with honourable intentions, and in the national interest. If they did, why are they hiding in rat holes and afraid to publicly own up and defend their treachery?” he said.
In the post, he rendered an unqualified apology to all Ghanaians who felt heartbroken by the betrayal of the said MPs.
“We are deeply sorry. As heart wrenching as this episode has been, we fervently pray that the good people of Ghana and our loyal party members would not give up on us. Please find a place in your hearts to forgive us; and watch us work extra hard like never before, and with the purest of integrity as we seek to regain your trust and save our dear country, particularly in this period of self-inflicted economic crisis,” he said.
He added that “the traitors should have mustered courage and exhibited a modicum of sincerity during our numerous strategy sessions by informing us that they disagreed with our fundamental objection to President Akufo-Addo’s misguided penchant for an obscenely bloated government.”
“The damage these Judases and Esaus have done to our party’s brand and public trust in our caucus may take decades to repair. As we struggle to rebuild public confidence in the NDC, may the treacherous elements be exposed and may the Good Lord forgive them their trespasses,” he added.
He further lamented the impact this grave act of betrayal can have on the party.
“If we cannot be trusted in opposition when crumbs are at stake, how do we expect the Ghanaian people to send us into government where we shall be entrusted with all of Ghana’s resources? If privileged party elites conduct themselves in this manner at the top, what are we inviting our party agents at the branches to do on December 7, 2024 when they are tempted?
He, however, commended the NDC MPs who stood with the party and voted against the six appointees.
“I must, however, salute the over 90 gallant NDC MPs who refused to bow to Baal and kept faith with the suffering masses. It is worth pleading with Ghanaians to at least recognise that a clear majority of NDC MPs did not participate in this grand betrayal — that should offer some compensation and some genuine hope.
“May I conclude by soberly requesting all colleagues on both sides of the House to reflect on the epic happenings in the British House of Commons some four centuries ago which led to the historic dissolution speech of Oliver Cromwell on 20th April, 1653 as reproduced below.
Lamenting further, he asked the MPs to exit the NDC since they want to be in bed with the current government.
“It is high time for me to put an end to your sitting in this place, which you have dishonored by your contempt of all virtue, and defiled by your practice of every vice; ye are a factious crew, and enemies to all good government; ye are a pack of mercenary wretches, and would like Esau sell your country for a mess of pottage, and like Judas betray your God for a few pieces of money.
“Is there a single virtue now remaining amongst you? Is there one vice you do not possess? Ye have no more religion than my horse; gold is your God; which of you have not barter’d your conscience for bribes? Is there a man amongst you that has the least care for the good of the Commonwealth?
“Ye sordid prostitutes, have you not defil’d this sacred place, and turn’d the Lord’s temple into a den of thieves, by your immoral principles and wicked practices? Ye are grown intolerably odious to the whole nation; you were deputed here by the people to get grievances redress’d, are yourselves gone! So! Take away that shining bauble there, and lock up the doors. In the name of God, go!”
Dr. Zenator Agyemang-Rawlings has said that her father, the late former President Jerry John Rawlings, would have challenged all National Democratic Congress (NDC) MPs to take a “lie detector” test over the approval of ministerial appointees.
Her comment comes after a section of the minority voted to confirm six appointees of President Akufo-Addo as Ministers in a secret ballot on Friday, 24 March 2023.
Some Ghanaians have expressed disappointment in the Minority for approving the ministers to join the already over bloated government.
Some high ranking NDC members like former President John Mahama, North Tongu MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the party’s general secretary Fiifi Kwetey, a leading member Prof Joshua Alabi among others have all condemned the action of their members who betrayed the party by voting YES in the secret ballot to approve the nominees.
Adding her voice to the many that have expressed shocked and disappointment, Dr Agyemang-Rawlings in a Facebook post said “on Friday night, I felt this deep pain that maybe it was perhaps better that he [JJ Rawlings] was not alive to witness what had happened to the NDC. But then again, I thought perhaps had he been alive he would probably have challenged all of us to go and swear on Antoa or dared us to take a lie-detector test!”
Alas! She noted the Founder is no longer with them, “but we have come too far to destroy our own legacy! We must course correct, immediately!”
“We need to return to the values and principles on which this party was built including honesty, accountability, integrity, discipline and commitment to our nation, Ghana,” the Klottey Korle MP added.
According to Dr Agyemang-Rawlings due to the tension and suspicion on the day of the secret ballot, she had to record her vote, although not appropriate, as prove that she voted against the approval of the nominees as the party had directed them to.
She said she took the decision to do so, so that she is not wrongly accused one day of being part of those MPs who betrayed the party and Ghanaians.
Read details of her full statement below:
The I in the Collective!
The NDC took a decision to vote against the President’s nominations on principle. We needed President Akufo-Addo to avert his mind to the bloated size of his government/cabinet to show the commitment of the Executive to reduce its expenditure as the government struggles with unsustainable debt.
If you disagree with a position the party and leadership have taken, have the courage of your convictions and speak up! It is cowardice and treachery to hide within the collective to pursue your individual parochial agenda!!! For the first time, I was forced to keep evidence of my votes to protect my integrity and my name!
I’m still reeling from the outcome of the secret ballot in the House on Friday. I’ve sat with the sad realisation that the unfortunate side of being part of a collective is the collective shame that comes with the actions of a few unknown faces whose actions affect everyone.
In the Chamber, when the back and forth was done, the voting began amidst threats to annul your vote if you were caught displaying your ballot paper.
My sister MP, Angela Alorwu-Tay and I, began a discussion on how to ensure that we had evidence of our votes. The last time there was a secret ballot, the women in our caucus were falsely accused en bloc of having betrayed the NDC. Some unscrupulous person even used my picture and that of a number of colleagues as part of that ludicrous headline at the time. We had no intention of allowing our integrity to be attacked again!
The idea of taking a photo of my vote was so alien to me but given the high level of suspicion and finger pointing already in the public domain, I realised it was imperative to take such a drastic measure to protect my integrity, “in the interest of probity and accountability (in the words of the late President JJ Rawlings).”
As the time drew closer for me to vote and I felt the increasing tension in the room, and I decided to put my camera on video mode.
I knew it was risky taking my phone into the booth, because there was a chance that the Speaker might chastise me openly. I told my colleagues sitting in my section what I was going to do and why. I got to the voting booth and nervously lifted my phone to record my hand ticking the ‘No’ column, feeling so annoyed that I was having to subject myself to this! When I got to my seat, I checked the video to make sure it had captured my vote, and then informed my colleagues that it had worked! I then suggested that they do same, for their own protection.
I must admit that I was still shocked by the results. I was crestfallen! But even the knowledge of my evidence of how I voted, did not bring me the relief I had hoped for. People were looking up to us, and we had let the side down.
As I’ve enquired about the possible reasons for what happened, I’ve concluded that we are looking at a situation of different interests converging in a single outcome. So, what is the solution to this wicked problem?
As a party, we have been drifting from our principles and values not-so-slowly, and I guess this is a wakeup call that this drift can no longer be ignored or brushed under the carpet. It took a handful of people and a single iceberg to sink the titanic and with it, many innocent persons drowned or froze to death.
As I type and share this, I’m cognisant of the usual abuse that some people are happy to hurl at anyone who dares, however I know that my reticence on this matter will be even more damaging!
My father continued to advise and chastise the party in the face of sometimes outright abuse from his own, but he remained true to his convictions. I still remember vividly when from his hospital bed, he asked me how the people in my constituency were doing in the lead up to the 2020 General Elections. Even when he was a few days away from his own death, he was still worried about Ghana! On Friday night, I felt this deep pain that maybe it was perhaps better that he was not alive to witness what had happened to the NDC. But then again, I thought perhaps had he been alive he would probably have challenged all of us to go and swear on Antoa or dared us to take a lie-detector test!
Alas! Our Founder is no longer with us, but we have come too far to destroy our own legacy! We must course correct, immediately! We need to return to the values and principles on which this party was built including honesty, accountability, integrity, discipline and commitment to our nation, Ghana!!
Member of Parliament for North TonguSamuel Okudzeto Ablakwahas said that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) brand has been damaged by the decision of its lawmakers to vote to approve all the six ministerial nominees of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
He said the damage may take decades to repair.
In a tweet, he said “The damage these Judases and Esaus have done to our party’s brand and public interest in our caucus may take decades to repair.
“As we struggle to rebuild the NDC may the treacherous elements be exposed and may the good Lord forgive them their trespasses.”
“If we cannot be trusted in opposition when crumbs are at stake, how do we expect the Ghanaian people to send us into government where we shall be entrusted with all of Ghana’s resources,” he added.
The party has also condemned the decision by some of its MPs to throw principle to the wind and pursue their parochial interest by voting for the ministerial nominees.
The party said the action of these renegade MPs only betrays the express will of the NDC and “constitutes a massive stab in the back of the good people of Ghana”.
The party said members, particularly leadership of the Caucus, who stayed true to the principles of the party must be highly commended.
“We will stop at nothing to identify them and publicly laud them in due course,” said a statement issued by the General Secretary, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey.
“Their loyalty and patriotism will not be forgotten.”
The party said irrespective of the “betrayal”, it continues to join forces with the millions of its supporters, and indeed Ghanaians, who are not happy with the bloated government of Akufo-Addo-Bawumia.
“Undoubtedly, our country currently faces the biggest economic meltdown in living memory,” it said.
“It is therefore unpardonable for any person, not to talk of a Member of Parliament who believes in the ideals of the NDC, to lend support to the ongoing recklessness by the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia/NPP government.”
The National Democratic Congress‘ (NDC) decision to vote to approve all six of President Akufo- Addo’s for ministerial positions, according to North Tongu Member of Parliament, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has harmed the reputation of the NDC.
He said the damage may take decades to repair.
In a tweet, he said “The damage this judas and Essaus have done to our party’s brand and public interest in our caucus may take decades to repair.
“As we struggle to rebuild the NDC may the treacherous elements and may the good Lors forgive them their trespasses.”
The party has also condemned the decision by some of its MPs to throw principle to the wind and pursue their parochial interest by voting for the ministerial nominees.
The party said the action of these renegade MPs only betrays the express will of the NDC and “constitutes a massive stab in the back of the good people of Ghana”.
The party said members, particularly leadership of the Caucus, who stayed true to the principles of the party must be highly commended.
“We will stop at nothing to identify them and publicly laud them in due course,” said a statement issued by the General Secretary,Fifi Fiavi Kwetey.
“Their loyalty and patriotism will not be forgotten.”
The party said irrespective of the “betrayal”, it continues to join forces with the millions of its supporters, and indeed Ghanaians, who are not happy with the bloated government of Akufo-Addo-Bawumia.
“Undoubtedly, our country currently faces the biggest economic meltdown in living memory,” it said.
“It is therefore unpardonable for any person, not to talk of a Member of Parliament who believes in the ideals of the NDC, to lend support to the ongoing recklessness by the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia/NPP government.”
North Tongu Member of Parliament, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has expressed disappointment at the outcome of a vote on six ministerial nominees of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
The MP posted a quote attributed to Ouida, philosophically stressing the pain that he felt by way of the impact that the outcome of the tense vote had on him.
The quote read: “There is no knife that cuts so sharply and with such poisoned blade as treachery.”
Parliament approves all six nominees, two Supreme Court Justices:
Parliament on Friday, March 24 approved all six ministerial nominees of president Akufo-Addo after a heated debate, 24 hours prior and a tense voting process.
Final results declared by Speaker Alban Bagbin showed that all nominees got more votes than the minimum of 138 votes required because out of the 275 eligible voters, there were three absent.
Below are the final figures for each nominee:
Total eligible 275
Absentees = 3
Total valid votes = 272
Hon KT Hammond, Minister for Trade and Industry
Yes = 154 No = 116 Rejected = 1 Abstention = 1
Bryan Acheampong, Minister for Food and Agriculture
Yes = 167 No = 98 Rejected = 1 Abstention = 3
Stephen Asamoah Boateng, Minister of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs
Yes = 147 No = 122 Abstention = 3
Mohammed Amin
Yes = 152 No = 117 Rejected = 1 Abstentions = 2
Osei Bonsu Amoah
Yes = 149 No = 120 Abesmtion = 2
Stephen Amoah, deputy minister of Trade and Industry
Yes = 146 No = 123 Abstentions = 3
Meanwhile, there is a debate on deciding on whether or not to take the vote on the remaining two Supreme Court justice nominees appointed by Akufo-Addo.
Out of the four that were appointed, two of them were approved, leaving George Kingsley Koomson, Justice of the Court of Appeal, and Justice Ernest Yao Gaewu, Justice of the High Court.
Member of the Minority Group in Parliament, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has announced the possibility of the caucus rejecting the budgetary allocation made to the Electoral Commission (EC) over the recent appointment made by the president.
The North Tongu MP in a Facebook post on Thursday asked Ghanaians whether it would be morally right for the Minority to shortchange the Commission over the appointment of Dr. Peter Appiahene, who is alleged to be a New Patriotic Party (NPP) faithful.
“With Prez Akufo-Addo’s unpatriotic & extremely reckless determination to convert Ghana’s Electoral Commission into an NPP HQ annex, would NDC MPs in Parliament be wrong in refusing to approve the budget of the EC until TESCON Patron Dr. Peter Appiahene is dropped? Your thoughts, please,” Mr Ablakwa wrote.
TESCON (Tertiary Students Confederacy) is the student wing of the New Patriotic Party(NPP) of Ghana that is instrumental in the party’s student and grass-root engagement and mobilisation.
Mr. Ablakwa felt it necessary to ask this question because the government has allocated an amount of GH¢386,047,606 to the Electoral Commission to be spent in 2023, which is yet to be approved by parliament.
The money, according to the 2023 budget statement, is to be used for compensation of employees, purchasing of goods and offering services, as well as upgrading or maintaining physical assets (CAPEX).
Background
President Akufo-Addo inaugurated the Electoral Commission’s new members on Monday, March 20, 2023.
Among the newly appointed commissioners are Dr. Appiahene, a TESCON patron, Salima Ahmed Tijani, and Rev. Akua Ofori Boateng.
While the government praised the new appointments as a move towards strengthening the Commission’s capacity, the minority has expressed concerns about the EC’s integrity.
Following the ceremony, pictures and videos implicating Dr Peter Appiahene of being involved in partisan politics emerged.
He is reported to be actively engaged in TESCON activities at the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR).
Dr. Peter Appiahene, whom Akufo-Addo has appointed to the Electoral Commission with two others is a card-bearing @NPP_GH juggernaut. Its a plan!
He’s TESCON-UENR Patron, was once among considerables for Bono Regional Minister & had represented the NPP on several political shows. pic.twitter.com/1VzH6TeQN2
This revelation has infuriated members of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) who assert that the president is working to turn the Electoral Commission into an annex of the ruling party.
Director of the NDC’s International Relations Directorate, Alexander Segbefia, stated that Ghana’s democracy hangs in the balance as the government is allegedly working to alter the decisions made by Ghanaians when they exercise their franchise.
“It is clear that in a situation like this, it’s imperative that partisan colours for certain positions in this country should not be or cannot be overtly shown to have been demonstrated in the past because it means that on every decision that person is involved in, it will be scrutinised 10, 15, 20 times more than it should be, because there is already a fear and a belief that that person doesn’t approach it in a fair manner or a neutral position.
“And that, whether right or wrong, is the perception that is created, by allowing somebody who is clearly very overtly partisan but is coming into the position of a referee to actually hold such an office. I think it’s so obvious that I don’t know why it keeps being done.
“It has the ability to threaten our very democracy, elections in Africa are some of the most tense periods in the democratic dispensation of countries and any step that you take that is going to heighten that tension is not advisable within the African context,” he told JoyNews.
On the matter, former President John Dramani Mahama has pledged to amend Article 43(2) of the 1992 Constitution to provide Parliament with power to approve new commissioners.
“Of course, the appointments of known party activists onto the Electoral Commission by our current President may require an amendment of Article 43(2), to provide for parliamentary approval of new Commissioners to the Commission. Let me assure you once again, I remain committed to these reforms,” he said.
He made the statement at the launch of his JM 2024 Campaign fundraising app at UPSA on Wednesday, March 22, 2022.
Article 43(2) of the 1992 constitution states that “ The members of the Commission shall be appointed by the President under article 70 of this Constitution.”
The Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has asked the government to cancel the Electronic Transfer Levy (E-Levy) now that the government is planning to reintroduce road tolls.
According to him, the government made it clear before implementing the E-Levy that it was a replacement for road tolls.
He observed that the government does not properly consider its policies before implementing them.
The lawmaker stated that the government cannot have it both ways.
He said you cannot have in place the E-Levy and reintroduce the toll.
“The government told us that they were introducing the E-Levy because they had removed road tolls. They can’t have it both ways if they want to reinstate the toad toll. “The E-Levy must be repealed.”
He asserted that Ghanaians must demand answers from the government because one of the reasons and justifications for this poorly thought out policy was that we would have to pay E-Levy.
The MP made these remarks in response to a press statement by the Minister of Finance indicating that tolls would be reinstated.
He was speaking in an interview with Rainbow Radio’s parliamentary correspondent Philomina Kuntu Blankson.
The finance minister wrote to the Ministry of Roads and Highways to confirm the approved fees as tolls on roads and bridges will be reintroduced this year.
According to Ken Ofori-Atta, “It is provided under Section 6 of Act 1080 for the Minister to amend the schedules of the Act to include or exclude MDAs and/or adjust the fees and charges collected by MDCs for their services through a Legislative Instrument when necessary.”
“Accordingly, this ministry has initiated steps to provide for foundational rates for tolling of roads and highways as part of the amendments of the Act, pending completion of the process to identify the rods and highways to be affected by the reintroduction of the road tolls as stated in the budget,” he added.
The approved fees for motorbike users will pay 50 pesewas instead of 19 pesewas. Saloon car users will pay a fee of GH¢1 rather than the previous 50 pesewas fee.
Pick-ups/4×4 vehicles and light bus users will be charged GH¢1.50 pesewas when the toll booth reopens.
Drivers of heavy buses will also pay GH¢ 2 instead of the GH¢1.50 pesewas they used to pay.
For drivers of medium and heavy goods trucks up to 4 axles, the fee to be paid will be GH¢3 instead of GH¢2.
In response, Okudzeto Ablakwa slammed the government, accusing it of failing to properly consider its policies.
“I must state unequivocally that this government does not carefully consider its policies before implementing them. As a public policy student, I can say that this government does not have the ability to consult widely and to be scientific or empirical in its policy implementation.
Unfortunately, our government is uninterested in consulting. All of their policies have been a disaster. Several examples, including the luxury car tax and the benchmark at ports, have all been disasters. We advised them against eliminating the toll, but they did not listen.”
Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has alleged that the vaccines for childhood killer diseases procured by the government were borrowed from Nigeria.
In a Facebook post on Monday, he noted that the consignment came as “a benevolent gesture which the Ghanaian government has promised to replace when it finally puts its house in order.”
The Ministry of Health and Ghana Health Service on March 11, 2023, received the first consignment of Measles vaccines, BCG vaccines and Oral Polio Vaccines.
The source of the vaccines was not disclosed by the Ghana Health Service when it made the announcement over the weekend.
According to Mr Ablakwa, who believes the government is being secretive, the Akufo-Addo-led government “should not be embarrassed to admit that it reached out to Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire for urgent bailout on Ghana’s avoidable and indefensible shortage of childhood vaccines.”
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, MP for North-Tongu
“There is absolutely nothing wrong saying thank you to a neighbour who exhibits superior public health policies, better prioritization, and who responds positively and swiftly when you come begging.”
“Ghanaian officials should not be concealing this fact and therefore appearing ungrateful within the comity of nations even though I acknowledge that an honest and transparent narrative from government will further expose false claims by President Akufo-Addo during his Message on the State of the Nation last week that childhood vaccine shortage was a global phenomenon,” he added.
The North Tongu legislator insists that Ghana’s childhood vaccine crisis could have been prevented if the government had not ignored the World Health Organisation (WHO) stock-out warnings since July last year.
Since Nigeria was allegedly able to supply Ghana with vaccines, he believes the “global phenomenon” claim by the president is a fabrication.
“Ghanaians shall not accept fabrications, ineptitude, mediocrity & leadership failure.
If there was truly a global shortage of childhood vaccines, how did Nigeria (despite their population) have excess supply to bail out Ghana? Why are others not in the same predicament as Ghana?” he quizzed.
Mr Ablakwa further revealed that the Nigerian vaccines can only last for 6 weeks, hence the need for the government to find a permanent solution.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Health Service has noted that more vaccines are expected in Ghana in the coming weeks from multiple sources.
On the other hand, the Ketu South Municipality in the Volta Region has recorded 10 cases of measles.
Acting Volta Regional Director of Health, Dr Kwasi Senanu Djokoto, made the revelation at a time when the government is working to address the shortage of vaccines.
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu, has criticizedPresident Akufo-Addofor not addressing the murder of a soldier in Ashaiman during his State of the Nation Address (SONA).
Tuesday saw a military raid on Ashaiman locals after a soldier was killed.
In a debate on President Akufo-Addo’s State of the Nation Address, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said the President should have commiserated with the families of the deceased officer and the innocent people brutalized by the military.
“As Commander in Chief of the GAF, he should have first of all commiserated with the family and the GAF over the loss of the solider. But the President did not say a word. He didn’t think that he should condemn the brutality and assure that there will be a committee to probe the killing and the high-handedness meted out to the residents, and he is the Commander in Chief of the GAF?”
President Akufo-Addo is under increasing pressure to address the military abuses in Ashaiman.
Many anticipate that the President will make a public statement on the subject as Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces.
Amnesty International, a non-governmental and human rights advocacy group claims that during his state of the nation address, the President had a chance to address the issue but failed to do so.
Former President John Dramani Mahama has advised the military to refrain from meting out extra-judicial justice to them adding that there are many people who live and work in Ashaiman who are innocent of this heinous crime.
He further advised the military to exercise restraint and allow due process to work.
For him, the government must step in to address the situation between Ashaiman residents and GAF while pushing for compensation for all persons affected.
Member of Parliament forNorth Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has claimed that government is deliberately sabotaging the work of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) by withholding funds.
In a Facebook post on February 28, 2023, Mr Ablakwa reported that government has chosen to pay salary to a Special Assistant at the OSP classified as a Political Appointee at the Presidency and ignore Mr Kissi Agyebeng who heads the Office.
“Why is this Special Assistant being paid from the Presidency, particularly when Parliament discovered last December that his boss, the OSP has not been paid for an incredible 16 months?” the legislator quizzed.
He also raised eyebrows over the said “independence” of the OSP since a member of the Office has been tagged as a political appointee at the Presidency.
“Why is a Special Assistant at the Office of the Special Prosecutor classified as a Political Appointee at the Presidency? How does this development help protect the independence of the Office of Special Prosecutor?” Mr Ablakwa further stated.
The North Tongu MP has therefore called on the Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, to reach out to the public and clarify the issues being raised.
The OSP is mandated to investigate and prosecute cases of alleged or suspected corruption and corruption-related offenses in the public and private sectors, recovering the proceeds of such by disgorging illicit and unexplained wealth and taking steps to prevent corruption.
With regards to the performance of its functions, the Office is not subject to the direction or control of any person or authority, except as provided in the Constitution.
This is not the first time Mr Okudzeto Ablakwa has raised concerns over the kind of portfolios as well as the number, set up by the Presidency.
Some of the positions Mr Ablakwa has a hard time appreciating include; Youth Ambassador for Diaspora Affairs, Chief Executive of Public Sector Reforms, Overseer of the National Cathedral, Church Relations Manager, Diaspora Church Mobilization Officer, Director of Special Projects, Technical Director to the Presidential Advisor on Media, just to name a few.
He noted that “considering Ghana’s current unprecedented economic catastrophe, it is extremely difficult to understand why the numerous strange portfolios President Akufo-Addo created at the presidency years ago under the rather convenient category of political appointees continue to exist as a reckless drain on scarce taxes.”
The secretary general of the Trade Union Congress, Dr. Anthony Yaw Baah, has backed Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) party member of parliament (MP) for theNorth TonguConstituency in the Volta Region, in his opposition to the National Cathedral’s construction.
It came to light at a forum dubbed ‘Ghana’s Day of Shame’ organised by the Socialist Movement of Ghana on February 24, 2023.
The event saw in attendance many stalwarts in Ghana’s politics including former Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Paul Afoko, founding member of the NPP, Dr. Nyhaho Nyaho Tamakloe, former flagbearer of the Convention People’s Party, Dr Abu Sakara and some members of the diplomatic mission to Ghana, including Cuba’s Ambassador to Ghana, Algeria, China, Namibia and Russia all in attendance.
Addressing the gathering, TUC’s General Secretary reiterated his opposition to the construction of the National Cathedral and called on Mr Ablakwa to do all he can to convert the construction of the cathedral into a hospital if the NDC comes to power.
“We don’t need to use state resources to build a cathedral. What saddens my heart was that when TUC started the campaign against the construction of the cathedral nobody minded.
“We will back our brother here to change the plan of building a cathedral when in fact we don’t need a cathedral.
“We need hospitals and schools, we don’t need a cathedral,” he stated
It seems to be a pleasant walk for the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa ahead of the primaries of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
By the nomination deadline on Saturday, February 25, 2023, only the party’s third-term MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa had picked a form to run for the party’s seat in the North Tongu elections in 2024.
“We are running unopposed in the North Tongu NDC Parliamentary Primaries.
“Another reason to serve my beloved constituents better, stronger, harder & more innovatively.
“As you very well know, I don’t & will never take your support for granted. Glory be to God,” Mr Ablakwa wrote on his Facebook wall after nominations closed on Saturday.
The NDC, ahead of the 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections, has slated its primaries for May 13, 2023.
Mr Okudzeto Ablakwa was first elected in 2012.
He has also served as deputy minister for information and communication.
He is regarded as one of the most active MPs in the current 8th Parliament of Ghana’s Fourth Republic.
The absence of competition for Mr Ablakwa effectively means his fourth term bid is inching closer since North Tongu is classified as a safe seat of the NDC, being located in the party’s stronghold.
MP for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has officially declared his intention to seek re-election in the upcoming December 2024 election.
He made the announced on his Twitter page on Wednesday, February 23, 2023.
“As NDC parliamentary & presidential nomination processes begin today, it is with a deep sense of duty, dedication, humility & respect for the overwhelming calls by my beloved North Tongu constituents to continue serving them that I announce my decision to seek re-election as MP,” the tweet said.
As NDC parliamentary & presidential nomination processes begin today, it is with a deep sense of duty, dedication, humility & respect for the overwhelming calls by my beloved North Tongu constituents to continue serving them that I announce my decision to seek re-election as MP. pic.twitter.com/uNxUrLgCSa
Mr Ablakwa has represented the Constituency since 2008 when he first contested for the North Tongu seat on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
He won the seat by a 78.6% of the votes cast. He again won the seat in the 2012 elections by a larger number, representing 90.5% of the votes cast. He retained his seat once again in the 2016 elections even though his party lost the Presidential Elections.
He was only twenty-eight years old when he began his political career, however, he has risen through the heights of politics and has served on various Committees in Parliament.
He has been a member of the appointments committee for two times. He is currently also the Ranking Member of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee.
He has also been instrumental in the development of his Constituency since he assumed office. He had embarked on various donation exercises as well as furnished schools in his Constituency with furniture, books, etc.
The representative for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has lauded President Akufo-Addo for traveling toGermanyand Ethiopia in Ghana’s presidential jet.
In a tweet shared on Monday, February 20, 2023, the MP said that the president’s decision not to use a luxury private jet for his recent trip has saved the country almost GHC6.5 million.
He added that if Akufo-Addo had been consistent in using the presidential jet for his travels, he will have saved Ghana a lot of money and possibly averted the current economic crisis in the country.
“I can confirm from our unimpeachable tracking that for President Akufo-Addo’s latest travel to the Munich Security Conference and AU meetings in Addis Ababa, he used Ghana’s Presidential Jet (Dassault Falcon 900 EX) for the entire 17hr:53min flight time. He returned to Accra at 11:40 pm last night.
“By this commendable conduct, and having regard for the current luxury VIP private jet market rate, the President has saved the suffering Ghanaian taxpayer some €480,000 (GHC6.5 million) by avoiding his favourite profligate luxury chartered jet.
“This is the prudent presidential conduct Ghanaians have been demanding for years- a sensitive and frugal leadership which could have saved Ghana over GHC100million and perhaps averted the current economic crisis,” parts of the MPs tweet read.
Ablakwa added that it is his hope that President Akufo-Addo will continue to use the presidential jet till he leaves office for the sake of the country.
View the MPs’ tweet below:
Our unimpeachable tracking of Prez Akufo-Addo’s latest foreign travels to Germany & Ethiopia reveal that he used Ghana’s Presidential Jet for the entire duration.
His commendable conduct saves the suffering taxpayer some GHS6.5million.
This is what Ghanaians have been demanding pic.twitter.com/4QgfCrxo18— Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa (@S_OkudzetoAblak) February 20, 2023
The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has disclosed that its investigations into dual identity claims against an Executive Council Member of the National Cathedral reveals that Victor Kusi Boateng and Kwabena Adu Gyamfi could be two different individuals.
In a letter to the MP for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the GRA noted that the said individuals have two distinct Tax Identification Number (TIN) records.
At the time of the registration for Kusi Boateng (August 13, 2013) and Adu Gyamfi (March 15, 2016), “the registration system was not biometric and did not have any facial recognition features for the detection of duplicate faces,” the letter said.
It went further to explain that it had started investigations into the claim by Ablakwa that the two individuals were one and the same person, who was using the double identity for criminal reasons.
Ablakwa shared the GRA letter as part of his court papers opposing a contempt suit brought against him by Kwabena Adu Gyamfi, alias Victor Kusi Boateng, who happens to be the secretary to the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral of Ghana.
In the document which was contained in an 85-page affidavit filed by Ablakwa’s lawyers to buttress his reasons that the plaintiff was engaged in a vexatious exercise with the contempt suit.
Ablakwa, was cited for contempt of court for his handling of a restraining order document barring him from publishing personal information and other documents of Rev. Kusi Boateng.
The motion for contempt, which was filed by Rev Kusi Boateng, indicated that the reasons Ablakwa gave for rejecting the document were not tangible.
Before Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the NDC’s member of parliament for North Tongu, appears in court on February 21, 2023, the Volta Regional Caucus of the opposition National Democratic Party (NDC) has issued a harsh warning to the ruling party.
The MP is being sued by the Secretary of the National Cathedral, Reverend Victor Kusi Boateng, who is citing a number of publications and improper conduct claims the politician has made.
The NDC’s Volta Caucus claims that the government’s attempt to silence and persecute its legislative representation is the true purpose of the entire affair.
In a statement signed by the party’s regional communication officer, Sorkpa Agbleze, the NDC has warned that the government would be held responsible if the North Tongu MP is treated unjustly.
“We intensely call on this government not to embarrass this nation further by doing anything untoward to Hon. Okudzeto Ablakwa because currently its popularity is extremely low and that burning desire for the ordinary Ghanaian to vent their anger is ubiquitous.
“We want to loudly and clearly once again warn that should anything unjust happen to Hon. Okudzeto Ablakwa in his bid to heed the invitation to appear in court on 21st February, there certainly will be a furious spark of reactions, not only in the Volta Region, but across the Country”, portions of the statement read.
Supporters of the NDC in North Tongu have also backed their leaders and warned that they will not take lightly any harm done to their MP.
According to them, there is an attempt by the government to heckle the MP over his quest to hold the government accountable and fight corruption.
The representative for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has criticized Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta for urging retirees to participate in the government’s Domestic Debt Exchange Program (DDEP).
Ofori-Atta, while addressing pensioner bondholders who were picketing over the involvement of their bonds in the programme, said to the pensioner in Twi, ‘boa me na meboa wo’ which means ‘help me so that I can help you”.
Reacting to the minister’s remarks on the floor of Parliament, on Thursday, the North Tongu MP said that Ofori-Atta was rather telling the pensioners that they should help him so that he can bury them.
“What is so annoying when the finance minister met then (the pensioners), all he (the finance minister) had to tell was that ‘boa me na me nboa wo’.
“You are actually doing ‘boa me na me nsie wo’ and you are saying ‘boa me na me nboa wo’… you are taking money from them, people’s hard-earned investments and their life savings and then you add insult to injury.
“Apart from quoting wrong scriptures, scriptures that don’t align with the times, you are adding ‘boa me na me nboa wo’. Let the records reflect that what the minister is actually doing is ‘boa me na me nsie wo’,” he said.
Member of parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, considers it disconcerting that thegovernment has declined to accept responsibility for the country’s current economic difficulties.
He maintains that government single-handedly dragged the nation into the mess it is in through its fiscal recklessness.
“We keep blaming external factors. Why are we the only country in Africa going through a Debt Restructuring Programme? Are we saying these external factors did not affect others? We have a Finance Minister who refuses to take responsibility.”
“Instead of him [Finance Minister] to tender in a resignation, he has come here to offer dubious explanations,” he said on the floor of Parliament on Thursday.
He further indicated that his records show that government expenditure has gone up by GH¢82 billion between last year and this year.
“How can this be the case, especially at a time government is demanding money from pensioners and individual bondholders?”
“I support a demand for a resolution by this house that the pensioner bondholders, individual bondholders should be exempted from this draconian Ken Ofori-Atta, Bawumia, and Nana Addo inflated debt exchange programme.”
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the North Tongu representative to parliament, has disclosed three sources of funding for his work as an MP.
Several persons have criticized the MP over his source of wealth. They say the work output and his earnings as a lawmaker don’t match.
The MP has however disclosed three places he makes his money to support the philanthropy he undertakes.
According to Okudzeto Ablakwa, his first source of funding is MP’s Common Fund.
The Second is his own personal contribution and the third is what he described as a network of donors who periodically assist the MP.
The NDC MP was forced to make the disclosure after the receiver of a philanthropic gesture,Dr. Kofi Effah, questioned the MP how he came by his resources to purchase an SUV for him as a gift.
Dr Kofi Effah who is the head of the Cervical Cancer Prevention and Training Centre (CCPTC) of the Catholic Hospital in Battor, Volta Region found the answers by the MP as unsatisfactory. The Medical Doctor hencw requested to consult his family before taking a decision.
The Medical Doctor’s probing question allegedly infuriated Mr. Ablakwa who withdrew the offer.
MyNewsGh.com chronicles 3 times questions about the source of wealth of the MP has caused controversy.
Last year, late presidential Staffer Abugri Emmanuel posed a public question to the North Tongu MP to explain how he managed to amass wealth from using a rickety old Golf that had to be pushed to work.
The Presidential staffer said Hon. Ablakwa now has 3 speedboats in his 6 bedroom Juapong residence alone after entering politics with the green Golf that required pushing.
READ ALSO: Akufo-Addo gives good speeches but never practises anything he preaches – A Plus “The politics of a graduate without any working experience who now has 3 speed boats packed in his 6 bedroom mansion in Juapong because he is an MP, telling a man who started sitting in airplanes before he (Ablakwa) was born as someone who is insensitive?” Abugri asked.
Ablakwa, we remember your green Golf 2 paaa. We used to push it for you.” He added.
Salary or Common Fund
Another Activist of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) on social media is alleged that he suspects the North Tongu MP is corrupt judging from the initiatives he is rolling out in his constituency which is far above his salary or Common Fund allocation.
The NPP’s Kabenlah Muah was reacting to the launch of the furniture and footwear bank by the NDC MP who has twice been voted MP of the year by a local radio station for his various initiatives outside government funding.
But Mr. Muah who is suspicious of the MP says Mr. Ablakwa is a perfect definition of a “corrupt” politician because the NDC lawmaker has not “worked” publicly or privately before joining politics asking the MP to disclose his source of money.
“Where did he get the money from? He has not worked publicly or privately before joining politics. This defines who a corrupt politician is.”
Overnight achievers
Controversial Lawyer, Maurice Ampaw also said some ‘babies in diapers’ have in a short period become ‘millionaires’ – something they would have struggled to achieve if they did not venture into politics.
According to him, politics in Ghana has become the fastest way for just any ordinary person to become rich.
READ ALSO: Kennedy Agyapong not facing judge he “insulted” is some progress – Prof Azar Lawyer Ampaw argued that the acquisition of wealth among some young politicians in the country is alarming – he, however, called on the office of the Special Prosecutor (SP) to investigate them to save the public purse.
“We know them, you don’t need lawyer Ampaw to mention names. Their quest to be MPs and acquisition of properties is mind-blowing. They are overnight achievers; they have not suffered enough.”
we saw the lavish wedding by Okudzeto Ablakwa in this country. Where did he get the money from as a university graduate with no working experience?”
“I have known Okudzeto Ablakwa from years back. He couldn’t even afford to pay for his car maintenance. He was nobody but when he entered politics, things changed drastically. As I speak, his new mansion in his hometown is more than a palace,” he claimed.
Former Member of Parliament for the Kumbumgu Constituency, Ras Mubarak has alleged that government has hired some persons to track Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
He, thus, has asked Ghanaians to blame President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the National Security Ministry should any harm befall the MP.
According to the former MP, he has picked up intelligence that some persons have been tracking his party member and has since informed Mr Ablakwa to take his security seriously.
“I spoke to him about it and told him to take a safety precaution . . . ,” he told Neat FM in an interview.
“The first duty of every President is the protection of his citizens . . . that is why I said that if a sitting Member of Parliament is harmed, the President and National Security must be held responsible,” he added.
Mr Ablakwa of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has been critical of the government by releasing several exposés highlighting infractions within the government.
His exposés have recently been focused on the National Cathedral construction which has divided public opinion on its prioritisation and budgeting.
But according to Ras Muburak, some people have been following the North Tongu MP around and that raises questions about the safety and security of Mr Ablakwa.
“People are tailing him. They’re tracking his [Ablakwa’s] movement and we don’t have to wait till something happens. We’ve had instances in this country where a Journalist was harmed and killed,” he told NEAT FM’s morning show, ‘Ghana Montie’, in an interview.
The Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who is a subject to an odd court order, and faces the threat of going to prison has bemoaned the fact that he is now the target of state-sponsored harassment for nothing more than performing his oversight duties as a member of parliament.
He noted that a country where Parliamentarians become victims for performing their oversight work is doomed to be in a dark abyss
Mr. Ablakwa, who has been key in exposing alleged corruption in the construction of the National Cathedral and serializing exposés of alleged corruption, fraud, double identity, self-dealing, and conflict of interest involving the Secretary to the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral Secretariat, Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng, has said that there are currently “fascist machinations to use the judiciary and other state institutions to silence and intimidate me.”
He thanked his party for the support so far as he exposes alleged wrongdoing regarding the controversial construction of the National Cathedral.
“I am eternally indebted to the good people of Ghana, my dearest family, former President H.E. John Mahama, the NDC executive led by Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, the NDC Council of Elders chaired by Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu, Prof. Naana Jane Opoku Agyemang, my beloved North Tongu constituents, the rank and file of NDC comrades across the country, Civil Society Organisations, activists, genuine pastors, the credible media, my dedicated staff, gallant and dependable colleagues in the NDC Caucus in Parliament led by Dr. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson.
“A country where parliamentarians carrying out their constitutional oversight mandate become victims of state-sponsored harassment, strange court injunctions, and judicial threats of imprisonment even as double-identity charlatans are protected and pampered is definitely a nation in the dark abyss,” he asserted.
He stressed that he is unafraid and will continue to execute his mandate as an MP.
“Let the cowardly forces of tyranny be told that I am not one to be frightened with imprisonment.
“I am ever ready to be a political prisoner of conscience than be coerced and compromised into a behind-the-scenes deal with the corrosive enemies of the Republic,” he stated.
Mr. Ablakwa has been injuncted by the court from revealing further information about Rev. Kusi Boateng. It is also alleged that national security operatives have been trailing him.
The minority leader, Cassiel Ato Forson, has questioned why a judge would grant an injunction sought by Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng, the National Cathedral of Ghana’s secretary against Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the member of parliament for North Tongu.
Ato Forson said that the court’s decision to grant Rev. Kusi Boateng the injunction is likely illegal because the pastor has two dubious identities.
In a statement issued on February 8, 2023, the minority leader said that the court recently ruled on a case involving Rev. Kusi Boateng, but the National Identification Authority has stated that it has Kwabena Adu Gyamfi in its database and not Victor Kusi Boateng.
“To grant an interim injunction preventing further publication on a matter of enormous public interest and to a man of dubious double identity is a palpable constitutional affront.
“It is also most shocking that the court will grant an exparte injunction in a matter of this nature and particularly when incontrovertible court records show that the man who now claims to be Kwabena Adu Gyamfi with an alias as Victor Kusi Boateng only recently obtained judgment from the same judiciary as Victor Kusi Boateng,” parts of the statement read.
“The NDC Caucus in Parliament also condemns in the strongest terms the crude disregard for the appropriate procedure of how Members of Parliament are to be served with court documents through the Right Honourable Speaker of Parliament. Multiple Speakers of Parliament across the political divide have emphasized this in many constitutionally sound rulings,” it added.
Background:
The secretary to the board of trustees of the National Cathedral of Ghana, Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng, who is also known as Kwabena Adu Gyamfi, has secured an order of interim injunction against the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
The order restrains Okudzeto Ablakwa from publicly sharing any document belonging to Kwabena Adu Gyamfi for the next 10 days.
The MP who disclosed this in a tweet shared on Friday, February 3, 2023, said that he was served the order after his appearance on Metro TV’s Good Morning Ghana programme on the same day.
Read the full statement below:
7th February, 2023.
Press Statement.
NDC CAUCUS IN PARLIAMENT CONDEMNS JUDICIAL ABUSE AND DESPICABLE EFFORTS TO GAG MPs AND STAMPEDE PARLIAMENTARY OVERSIGHT
The NDC Caucus in Parliament strongly condemns the naked and shameful abuse of the judiciary by certain undemocratic elements seeking to gag NDC Members of Parliament and prevent us from carrying out our constitutional mandate of oversight.
The instant preposterous and cowardly legal action against our respected colleague, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa by President Akufo-Addo’s appointee to the Board of Trustees of the scandal-ridden National Cathedral of Ghana who now claims to be called Kwabena Adu Gyamfi even though all public records including incorporation documents show that he was duly appointed as Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng is nothing but a desperate effort to stifle parliamentary scrutiny and pervert the course of justice.
To grant an interim injunction preventing further publication on a matter of enormous public interest and to a man of dubious double identity is a palpable constitutional affront.
In any case, the claim by the applicant that the continuous publication of his personal information violates his privacy raises legitimate, legal and logical questions about which of his dual identities with his different names, different dates of birth, different TINS, different mothers and different national IDs actually refer to him.
It is also most shocking that the court will grant an exparte injunction in a matter of this nature and particularly when incontrovertible court records show that the man who now claims to be Kwabena Adu Gyamfi with an alias as Victor Kusi Boateng only recently obtained judgment from the same judiciary as Victor Kusi Boateng.
The NDC Caucus in Parliament also condemns in the strongest terms the crude disregard for the appropriate procedure of how Members of Parliament are to be served with court documents through the Right Honourable Speaker of Parliament. Multiple Speakers of Parliament across the political divide have emphasized this in many constitutionally sound rulings.
Ambushing an MP with a secret video recording on the premises of a television station after an interview by people ironically claiming to be apostles of the protection of privacy as happened to our distinguished colleague, Hon. Okudzeto Ablakwa on the precincts of Metro TV on the 3rd of February, 2023 can only be the orchestration of a frustrated and lawless cabal.
It is a real travesty that under the current government, offenders are shielded and emboldened while diligent and patriotic Members of Parliament fulfilling their constitutional mandate are vilified, witchhunted and threatened with imprisonment.
The NDC Caucus in Parliament wishes to express full confidence in the impressive, courageous and patriotic parliamentary oversight qualities with which our respected colleague, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has pursued this national cathedral conflict of interest and dual identity scandal.
Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa can count on our unflinching solidarity, especially during the pendency of that unmeritorious, vexatious and ridiculous Kwabena Adu Gyamfi—Victor Kusi Boateng case.
The Minority Group in Parliament hereby serves notice that we shall not be intimidated or cowed by judicial abuse, tyranny and fascist tactics.
We are determined to boldly pursue all aspects of this scandal-plagued National Cathedral project and the related matters of conflict of interest, dual identity, diversions, procurement breaches and blatant corruption without let or hindrance during this 3rd Session of the 8th Parliament.
We shall be disappointing God and our dear countrymen and women if we fail in this noble mission.
Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has been hnoured by the Ghana Medical Association (GMA).
He was awarded a medal of honour and a citation “for his contributions to the advancement of the health sector in the Volta Region.”
In a series of tweets shared on Sunday, February 5, 2023, the MP said that he is humbled and inspired by the gesture.
He expressed his gratitude to the GMA and his special public health advisor, Dr. Momodou Cham, who he said played a key role in his intervention in the health sector in the Volta Region.
“Sincerely, it is really humbling and deeply inspiring to know that the professionals and practitioners at the heart of health delivery have returned a positive verdict on my health interventions.
Last night I received a medal of honour and a citation from the prestigious Ghana Medical Association (Volta/Oti Division) for what they described as my “outstanding contributions to the advancement of the health sector.”
“This isn’t an individual accomplishment but a collective recognition; there wouldn’t be this award without my special public health advisor, Dr. Momodou Cham, our dynamic volunteers, our numerous donors both home and abroad, patients and healthcare workers who boldly tell us their needs, the many doctors and nurses who accept our outreach invitations, community leaders, party activists and strategic partners,” parts of the tweet read.
The tweets included a video of the MP receiving the award amid resounding applause and a standing ovation.
Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has intimated that he is not against the work of God.
He insists the work he is doing by way of pushing for accountability and transparency in the construction of the National Cathedral is not an agenda against the church.
The Ranking Member on Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, in a Citi TV interview (December 2022), emphasised the importance of religion (Christianity) on his past and present.
Ablakwa has over the last few months published instances of corporate governance and alleged financial infractions on the part of government and trustees in the building of the Cathedral.
The dogged nature of his advocacy has led people in some quarters to question his real motives, but he insists: “This is not an agenda against the church, I am not seeking to bring down a religion that I will be nobody without.
“I have said time without number that where would I be without Christianity? Belief in the saving power, the salvation grace of Jesus, the Christ,” he stressed.
He recounted how former Speaker of Parliament, Prof Oquaye, had mentored him through his Sunday school days as well as his role in religious groupings during his Senior High School days.
“I am not a pagan, I am not anti-Christ or whatever they say,” he added.
The Member of Parliament has since January 2023 disclosed statutory documentation purporting to prove that Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng, is operating under the pseudonym Kwabena Adu Gyamfi for criminal purposes.
The MP has so far released a number of passports, drivers’ license, Tax Identification Number data and details of company registration that Kusi Boateng (Adu Gyamfi) has used in the past and some he continues to use.
In the latest installment of his posts, Ablakwa said a statement by the NIA on the Ghana Card status of Kwabena Adu Gyamfi confirmed that in their records, Victor Kusi Boateng did not exist, a claim he made last week.
He has justified his publications of Kusi Boateng’s documents with the view that the clergyman was using two names because he was engaging in criminal activities with one of the identities (i.e. Kwabena Adu Gyamfi.)
Ablakwa has stood by an accusation that the pastor’s company (JNS Talent Center) was paid an unmerited sum from the National Cathedral kitty, even though the secretariat has explained that the GHC2.6 million paid to Rev Kusi Boateng was a loan repayment.
According to Ablakwa, the Board of Trustees never discussed acquiring a loan facility, and at the time the loan was acquired, the Cathedral had about $6 million in its bank accounts.
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, a member of parliament for North Tongu, is adamant that his campaign for accountability and openness in the National Cathedral’s construction is not directed against the church.
In a Citi TV interview from December 2022, the Ranking Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament stressed the significance of religion (Christianity) in his background and today.
Ablakwa has over the last few months published instances of corporate governance and alleged financial infractions on the part of government and trustees in the building of the Cathedral.
The dogged nature of his advocacy has led people in some quarters to question his real motives, but he insists: “This is not an agenda against the church, I am not seeking to bring down a religion that I will be nobody without.
“I have said time without number that where would I be without Christianity? Belief in the saving power, the salvation grace of Jesus, the Christ,” he stressed.
He recounted how former Speaker of Parliament, Prof Oquaye, had mentored him through his Sunday school days as well as his role in religious groupings during his Senior High School days.
“I am not a pagan, I am not anti-Christ or whatever they say,” he added.
Ablakwa goes after secretary to Board of Trustees of National Cathedral
The Member of Parliament has since January 2023 disclosed statutory documentation purporting to prove that Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng, is operating under the pseudonym Kwabena Adu Gyamfi for criminal purposes.
The MP has so far released a number of passports, drivers’ license, Tax Identification Number data and details of company registration that Kusi Boateng (Adu Gyamfi) has used in the past and some he continues to use.
In the latest installment of his posts, Ablakwa said a statement by the NIA on the Ghana Card status of Kwabena Adu Gyamfi confirmed that in their records, Victor Kusi Boateng did not exist, a claim he made last week.
He has justified his publications of Kusi Boateng’s documents with the view that the clergyman was using two names because he was engaging in criminal activities with one of the identities (i.e. Kwabena Adu Gyamfi.)
Ablakwa has stood by an accusation that the pastor’s company (JNS Talent Center) was paid an unmerited sum from the National Cathedral kitty, even though the secretariat has explained that the GHC2.6 million paid to Rev Kusi Boateng was a loan repayment.
According to Ablakwa, the Board of Trustees never discussed acquiring a loan facility, and at the time the loan was acquired, the Cathedral had about $6 million in its bank accounts.
As a result of sharing his opinions on the Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and Reverend Victor Kusi Boateng controversy, president Akufo-Addo‘s counsel, Kow Essuman, has been criticized on social media.
Ablakwa, who is the Member of Parliament for North Tongu has defended his decision to publish publicly private details of Kusi Boateng, a member and secretary to the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral project.
The Reverend has in turn sued for defamation and obtained a 10-day restraining order in the High Court against further publication of his personal private information.
In offering his opinion, Kow Essuman anchored his views on the issue of privacy and reputation and how a democratic society protects same.
“The case between Rev. Kusi Boateng and Hon. Okudzeto Ablakwa has gained significant public attention; but for me it raises important questions about the protection of an individual’s privacy and reputation in a democratic society.
“What safeguards do we have in our society to protect the privacy, personal data of individuals, especially persons who venture into public service?,” his second tweet read.
“Should it be so easy for a private citizen to access the personal data of another citizen held by state institutions, without the consent of the affected citizen, a court order or a RTI response from the state institution holding the personal data of the affected citizen?” he quizzed.
For most people interacting with his tweets, he was off the mark for different reasons, among them that the reverend had become a public figure and was subject to all necessary scrutiny.
“Did you loose your voice or your line of thought missed the bigger picture? Data privacy yes, but what of the issue of how the NPP government registered the same person as a trustee with a different name and a diplomatic passport another name? Your concern is secondary!” Tweep @Adwoabo submitted
@Ekowskareannan cued in: “If you want a private life, you have no business being in political service Once you benefit from the taxpayer, we deserve to know I’m surprised you’re arguing on this tangen.”
@deemperor tweeted: “You prefer his privacy to his double identity???? No be your fault.”
Some people on social media, particularly pro-government voices, are demanding the arrest of Member of Parliament for North Tongu for acts deemed disrespectful to the judicial arm of government.
According to them, the manner in which Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa treated court documents served on him by a bailiff in the morning of February 3, 2023 was an affront to the authority of the court.
Ablakwa was sighted in a viral video purportedly rejecting service of a restraining order document from the secretary to the board of Trustees of the National Cathedral of Ghana, Rev Victor Kusi Boateng, who is also known as Kwabena Adu Gyamfi.
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa gets down from his car and kicks the document after the bailiff tried to force it into his car on the premises of Metro TV after the Good Morning Ghana show – he was a guest on the programme.
Below are some of the demands for his arrest and the need for him to be cited for contempt:
Court issues restraining order on Ablakwa concerning the Prophet’s private matters. Apparently he had been dodging till they caught up with him at Metro tv. This is unfortunate ???? pic.twitter.com/u5SIdT7bTM— Besiaba AbaMansa (@BesiabaAM25) February 4, 2023
Okudzato ablakwa,Member of Parliament for North Tongu,kicking,and stamping an order of interim injunction secured by Kwabena Adu Gyamfi…. How can Ablakwa be so disrespectful to the court,very useless MP#ShamelessAblakwapic.twitter.com/AaIMyvF5jq— Nana Ansah Obofour (@NanaAnsahObofou) February 3, 2023
Court issues restraining order on Ablakwa concerning the Prophet’s private matters.Apparently he had been dodging till they caught up with him.
Man have been dodging All this while till he was caught up today,If you know everything you’ve been saying is the truth then why dodge? pic.twitter.com/oqX6aBhpoI
GHANA MATTERS: This is SAMUEL OKUDZETO ABLAKWA, a Member of Ghana’s Parliament kicking the court papers served on him like a football. He has no respect for the court. Seems maturity is distantly many oceans away from his mindset. Unruly and indisciplined. Just Boyish. pic.twitter.com/S7tKck6Fjf— Augustine Agbenaza (@august4551) February 3, 2023
Ablakwa wants the rule of law to work yet he is trying to destroy the injunction. What’s a parliamentarian? Kai.— Sarfo Collins (@Sarfoc19) February 3, 2023
Brief of what transpired
A man initially approached the lawmaker as he was just about to sit in his car after the show, the two were captured having a conversation after which a document was presented to him.
The lawmaker did not take the document but went ahead to seat on his car, just as he opened his car, the bailiff tried to force the document into the lawmaker’s car but he immediately threw it out, kicked the document away from his car and drove off.
Rev Kusi Boateng secures restraining order against Ablakwa
The secretary to the board of Trustees of the National Cathedral of Ghana, Rev Victor Kusi Boateng, who is also known as Kwabena Adu Gyamfi, has secured an order of interim injunction against the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
The order restrains Okudzeto Ablakwa from publicly sharing any document belonging to Kwabena Adu Gyamfi for the next 10 days.
The MP who disclosed this in a tweet shared on Friday, February 3, 2023, said that he was served the order after his appearance on Metro TV’s Good Morning Ghana programme on the same day.
“One Kwabena Adu Gyamfi also claiming to have an alias as Victor Kusi Boateng has secured a 10-day restraining order seeking to stop me from further publications on the Conflict of Interest & Double Identity Scandal,” parts of the MP’s tweet read.
The MP shared a picture of the order he was served which read: “IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the 1″ Respondent, SAMUEL OKUDZETO ABLAKWA is restrained from making further public disclosures of private documents, correspondence, communication and property belonging to the Applicant (Adu Gyamfi).”
“IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that this interim order will lapse after Ten (10) days,” it added.
Background
The latest corruption exposé on the National Cathedral by the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, suggested impropriety on the part of the secretary to the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral of Ghana, Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng.
On January 16, 2023, the MP made some allegations against Rev. Kusi Boateng, who is the secretary to the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral of Ghana.
In an earlier revelation about the National Cathedral, Okudzeto Ablakwa said a whopping GH¢2.6 million was dished out to a company named JNS Talent Centre Limited.
Further investigations into the alleged payment led to the discovery of one Kwabena Adu Gyamfi as a director of JNS Talent Centre.
Having confirmed the identities of two out of three directors of the centre, Ablakwa dug deeper in a bid to discover the identity of the third director, Kwabena Adu Gyamfi.
According to his findings, citing a number of statutory documents, Kwabena Adu Gyamfi was the same as Reverend Kusi Boateng, who has allegedly been operating under the pseudonym Kwabena Adu Gyamfi.
A video depicting how Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the member of parliament for North Tongu, dismissed a restraining order document from the secretary to the board of Trustees of the National Cathedral of Ghana, Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng, also known as Kwabena Adu Gyamfi, has surfaced online.
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa was forced to kick out the document after the bailiff tried to force the document into his car on the compound of Metro TV after the Good Morning Ghana show.
A man initially approached the lawmaker as he was just about to sit in his car after the show, the two were captured having a conversation after which a document was presented to him.
The lawmaker did not take the document but went ahead to seat on his car, just as he opened his car, the bailiff tried to force the document into the lawmaker’s car but he immediately threw it out, kicked the document away from his car and drove off.
Rev Kusi Boateng secures restraining order against Ablakwa
The secretary to the board of Trustees of the National Cathedral of Ghana, Rev Victor Kusi Boateng, who is also known as Kwabena Adu Gyamfi, has secured an order of interim injunction against the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
The order restrains Okudzeto Ablakwa from publicly sharing any document belonging to Kwabena Adu Gyamfi for the next 10 days.
The MP who disclosed this in a tweet shared on Friday, February 3, 2023, said that he was served the order after his appearance on Metro TV’s Good Morning Ghana programme on the same day.
“One Kwabena Adu Gyamfi also claiming to have an alias as Victor Kusi Boateng has secured a 10-day restraining order seeking to stop me from further publications on the Conflict of Interest & Double Identity Scandal,” parts of the MP’s tweet read.
The MP shared a picture of the order he was served which read: “IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the 1″ Respondent, SAMUEL OKUDZETO ABLAKWA is restrained from making further public disclosures of private documents, correspondence, communication and property belonging to the Applicant (Adu Gyamfi).”
“IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that this interim order will lapse after Ten (10) days,” it added.
Background
The latest corruption exposé on the National Cathedral by the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, suggested impropriety on the part of the secretary to the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral of Ghana, Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng.
On January 16, 2023, the MP made some allegations against Rev. Kusi Boateng, who is the secretary to the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral of Ghana.
In an earlier revelation about the National Cathedral, Okudzeto Ablakwa said a whopping GH¢2.6 million was dished out to a company named JNS Talent Centre Limited.
Further investigations into the alleged payment led to the discovery of one Kwabena Adu Gyamfi as a director of JNS Talent Centre.
Having confirmed the identities of two out of three directors of the centre, Ablakwa dug deeper in a bid to discover the identity of the third director, Kwabena Adu Gyamfi.
According to his findings, citing a number of statutory documents, Kwabena Adu Gyamfi was the same as Reverend Kusi Boateng, who has allegedly been operating under the pseudonym K
Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has been captured in video, throwing out a restraining order document from the secretary to the board of Trustees of the National Cathedral of Ghana, Rev Victor Kusi Boateng, who is also known as Kwabena Adu Gyamfi, has popped up online.
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa was forced to kick out the document after the bailiff tried to force the document into his car on the compound of Metro TV after the Good Morning Ghana show.
A man initially approached the lawmaker as he was just about to sit in his car after the show, the two were captured having a conversation after which a document was presented to him.
The lawmaker did not take the document but went ahead to seat on his car, just as he opened his car, the bailiff tried to force the document into the lawmaker’s car but he immediately threw it out, kicked the document away from his car and drove off.
Rev Kusi Boateng secures restraining order against Ablakwa
The secretary to the board of Trustees of the National Cathedral of Ghana, Rev Victor Kusi Boateng, who is also known as Kwabena Adu Gyamfi, has secured an order of interim injunction against the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
The order restrains Okudzeto Ablakwa from publicly sharing any document belonging to Kwabena Adu Gyamfi for the next 10 days.
The MP who disclosed this in a tweet shared on Friday, February 3, 2023, said that he was served the order after his appearance on Metro TV’s Good Morning Ghana programme on the same day.
“One Kwabena Adu Gyamfi also claiming to have an alias as Victor Kusi Boateng has secured a 10-day restraining order seeking to stop me from further publications on the Conflict of Interest & Double Identity Scandal,” parts of the MP’s tweet read.
The MP shared a picture of the order he was served which read: “IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the 1″ Respondent, SAMUEL OKUDZETO ABLAKWA is restrained from making further public disclosures of private documents, correspondence, communication and property belonging to the Applicant (Adu Gyamfi).”
“IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that this interim order will lapse after Ten (10) days,” it added.
Background
The latest corruption exposé on the National Cathedral by the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, suggested impropriety on the part of the secretary to the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral of Ghana, Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng.
On January 16, 2023, the MP made some allegations against Rev. Kusi Boateng, who is the secretary to the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral of Ghana.
In an earlier revelation about the National Cathedral, Okudzeto Ablakwa said a whopping GH¢2.6 million was dished out to a company named JNS Talent Centre Limited.
Further investigations into the alleged payment led to the discovery of one Kwabena Adu Gyamfi as a director of JNS Talent Centre.
Having confirmed the identities of two out of three directors of the centre, Ablakwa dug deeper in a bid to discover the identity of the third director, Kwabena Adu Gyamfi.
According to his findings, citing a number of statutory documents, Kwabena Adu Gyamfi was the same as Reverend Kusi Boateng, who has allegedly been operating under the pseudonym Kwabena Adu Gyamfi.
The North-Tongu MP, Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has responded to Reverend Kusi Boateng’s injunction against him.
The MP says he has instructed his lawyers to take the necessary action on the case.
The Secretary to the Board of the National Cathedral Secretariat, Rev Kusi Boateng on Wednesday, February 1, filed an order of injunction against the MP restraining him from further publications on him.
In a writ filed at the Human Rights Division of the High Court in Accra, Rev Kusi Boateng prayed the court for, “an order of interim injunction to restrain the 1ST Respondent/ Respondent from making further public disclosures of the private information, documents, correspondence, communication and property belonging to the Applicant; and for such further order or orders as this Court deems fit.”
Also cited in the writ is the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice as 2nd Respondent.
Commenting on the new development, Mr Ablakwa in a Facebook post on Friday, said he was served with notice of the injunction at the premises of Metro TV after appearing on their morning show.
“After my appearance on Metro TV’s Good Morning Ghana show this morning, a gentleman supposedly from the courts brought to the precincts of Metro TV, court documents which suggest that one Kwabena Adu Gyamfi also claiming to have an alias as Victor Kusi Boateng has secured a 10-day restraining order from February 1, 2023 seeking to prevent me from putting out further publications on the Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng/Kwabena Adu Gyamfi Conflict of Interest and Double Identity Scandal.
“I have promptly instructed my lawyers to take the necessary steps,” he posted.
The former Deputy Education Minister added that the “Truth and Justice shall not be buried.”
The member of parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, continues to maintain that Reverend Victor Kusi Boateng received a Ghana Card that was fraudulently issued by the National Identification Authority (NIA).
Mr. Ablakwa had indicated that Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng, presented himself at NIA premises but was issued a Ghana Card bearing the name Kwabena Adu Gyamfi, with a different date of birth.
But the NIA in a statement said there is nothing mysterious about Kwabena Adu Gyamfi being issued with a Ghana Card.
In response to the NIA statement, Mr. Ablakwa said the NIA must come clean on the issue.
“The NIA is making a lot of grandiose claims about how the Ghana card is credible, and it is integrated with GRA and many banks. If this is true, how is it that they could not detect this all these years? ”
“Rev. Kusi Boateng has successfully dribbled NIA.”
The legislator in a series of posts on social media alleged that Rev. Kusi Boateng who is also the Secretary to the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral had registered companies and had multiple passports which had the name Kwabena Adu Gyamfi.
He also insisted that Rev. Kusi Boateng has two TINs produced on different occasions and in some instances, two different dates of birth.
Mr. Ablakwa has said he started digging into the double identity of Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng when he sighted in the incorporation documents that he was one of the contractors for the project, with registration name as Kwabena Adu Gyamfi.
Mr. Ablakwa said, during his investigative piece, he discovered that JNS Talent, which was paid GH₵2.6 million belongs to the appointed Secretary of the National Cathedral Board of Trustees, Victor Kusi Boateng.
The North Tongu legislator further said that the Secretary’s expired driver’s license also bears the name Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng which was used to incorporate him into the Secretariat Board of Trustees.
The National Identification Authority (NIA) has affirmed it granted a Ghana Card to Kwabena Adu Gyamfi and not Secretary of the National Cathedral Board of Trustees, Reverend Victor Kusi-Boateng.
The NIA’s justification follows a double identity allegations by Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Member for Paliament for North Tongu .
According to Mr Ablakwa, Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng, “a popular prophet,” fraudulently received a Ghana Card from the authority, adding that the entire National Identity Program lacks legitimacy.
Mr Ablawa alleged in a Facebook post on Monday, January, 30,”the National Identification Authority (NIA) must explain to Ghanaians how a popular prophet arrived at their registration premises as Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng but was mysteriously issued a Ghana Card bearing the name Kwabena Adu Gyamfi”.
“Having concluded a rare and comprehensive analysis of the NIA database, I can authoritatively disclose that the biometrics (fingerprint mapping, facial templates and iris recognition) of Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng matches that of Kwabena Adu Gyamfi”.
In a lengthy statement, the NIA described the allegations by the MP as baseless, without merit and called on Ghanaians to completely ignore the allegations.
According to the NIA, there is no record of Rev. Kusi Boateng in its database as claimed by Mr Ablakwa.
The NIA added that one of its registration centres in Kumasi duly issued an identity card to Kwabena Adu Gyamfi after he presented all the necessary documents but no ID card has been issued bearing the name Victor Kusi Boateng.
“During the mass registration exercise, Kwabena Adu Gyamfi went to an NIA registration centre called Vicandy School at Asuoyeboah in Kumasi on 15th January 2020 to register for the Ghana Card;
“He submitted to NIA registration officials a valid Ghanaian passport issued by the Passport Office on 16th May 2018, with the name Kwabena Adu Gyamfi; the expiry date in the said passport is 15th May 2023. NIA registration officials registered Kwabena Adu Gyamfi using his valid passport as the base identity document for his registration, and duly issued him with a Ghana Card;
“NIA has no record of anyone bearing the name Victor Kusi Boateng in the NIR, and NIA has no record in the NIR of any person born on 7th September 1971 or any other day with the name Victor Kusi Boateng.”
Below is the full statement by the NIA
NATIONAL IDENTIFICATION AUTHORITY (NIA) PRESS RELEASE
Issuance of Ghana Card to Kwabena Adu Gyamfi by NIA
The National Identification Authority (NIA) has noted with concern allegations against the NIA by Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu Constituency, in his Facebook post of Monday, 30th January 2023, and published by GhanaWeb and other media portals.
Essentially, Hon. Ablakwa alleges that NIA has fraudulently issued a Ghana Card to Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng, “a popular prophet” and former Secretary to the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral Secretariat, who had apparently presented himself at NIA premises with that identity but was issued a Ghana Card bearing the name Kwabena Adu Gyamfi, with a different date of birth.
Hon. Ablakwa describes this as mysterious and asserts that his “rare and comprehensive analysis of the NIA database” discloses that “the biometrics (fingerprint mapping, facial template and iris recognition) of Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng matches that of Kwabena Adu Gyamfi”.
On these bases, Hon. Ablakwa, who is also the Ranking Member on the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Parliament of Ghana, “calls to question the credibility of the entire national identification exercise, particularly after the recent embarrassing Aisha Huang Affair” (emphasis added). Hon. Ablakwa then laments that “it is the sloppiness and or complicity of state institutions that embolden certain characters to entrench their sophisticated conflict of interest machinations.”
The NIA wishes to react to the above allegations, insinuations and attacks as follows:
1. Alleged Fraudulent and Mysterious Registration and Issuance of Ghana Card
NIA is required by law to register applicants onto the NIA database, properly called the National Identity Register (NIR), based on the information supplied by applicants. Section 8(1) of the National Identity Register (Amendment) Act, 2017 (Act 950) provides that, the Authority shall require an individual who applies for an entry to be made in the Register to submit any of the following identity documents: a. a birth certificate; b. a valid passport; c. a valid residence permit; d. a valid certificate of acquired citizenship; and e. any other information as may be required by the Authority.
The amendment of Section 8 of the National Identity Register Act, 2008 (Act 750) by the 7th Parliament of Ghana in 2017 was made by all Members of Parliament including Hon. Okudzeto Ablakwa.
Thus, NIA registration officials are bound to register and issue a Ghana Card to an applicant who presents any of the documents specified above, unless on the face of the record or based on information gathered from the interview process, there is a reasonable basis to suspect fraud.
NIA operates in accordance with law and public policy. A person’s popularity is immaterial to the NIA registration process. Indeed, a popular name is not necessarily a person’s real name. NIA officials register applicants based on the names the applicants present to the officials, as captured in any of the above-specified identity documents, such as their birth certificates or passports.
Alternatively, as is commonly known, where an applicant is unable to submit any of the specified documents, they may be vouched for by a relative or other qualified people before a Commissioner for Oaths at the registration premises. In that event, the registration officials will use the name indicated by the applicant and vouched for by the guarantor(s) as the applicant’s name.
Thus, there is nothing mysterious about Kwabena Adu Gyamfi being issued with a Ghana Card as such, even though Hon. Okudzeto Ablakwa knows Kwabena Adu Gyamfi as Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng as well. Hon. Ablakwa has not presented any evidence that there is a person known as Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng whose biometrics exist in the NIA’s database or NIR with which he made his rare and comprehensive analysis.
Contrary to Hon. Ablakwa’s assertions, the following constitute the facts in the NIR in connection with the issuance of a Ghana Card to Kwabena Adu Gyamfi:
a. During the mass registration exercise, Kwabena Adu Gyamfi went to an NIA registration center called Vicandy School at Asuoyeboah in Kumasi on 15th January 2020 to register for the Ghana Card;
b. He submitted to NIA registration officials a valid Ghanaian passport issued by the Passport Office on 16th May 2018, with the name Kwabena Adu Gyamfi; the expiry date in the said passport is 15th May 2023;
c. NIA registration officials registered Kwabena Adu Gyamfi using his valid passport as the base identity document for his registration, and duly issued him with a Ghana Card;
d. NIA has no record of anyone bearing the name Victor Kusi Boateng in the NIR; and
e. NIA has no record in the NIR of any person born on 7th September 1971 or any other day with the name Victor Kusi Boateng.
In these circumstances, NIA registration officials at the Vicandy School Registration Center did everything right, and absolutely nothing wrong; they could not reasonably have been expected to know that Kwabena Adu Gyamfi also apparently bore the name Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng as Hon. Okudzeto Ablakwa claims. A popular name may not be a person’s real or official name, and this is rather trite or commonplace.
2. Attacking the Credibility of the National Identification Exercise
Hon. Ablakwa questions “the credibility of the entire national ID exercise”. We beg to differ. Surely, the credibility of the exercise cannot be questioned simply because Hon. Ablakwa is apparently unable to accept the science and law behind the issuance of a Ghana Card to Kwabena Adu Gyamfi.
The credibility of the entire registration exercise is solidly intact. Indeed, with stoic determination and focus, NIA has, since 2017, conducted a national identification exercise that has resulted in the capture of the biometrics and alpha-numeric data of over 17.3 million Ghanaians and qualified foreigners in Ghana, each with a unique identity, and issued smart, dual-interface biometric identity cards to over 16 million of them.
The registration exercise continues at 276 District Offices and 16 Regional Offices of NIA. The register built from “the entire registration exercise” captures biometrics, date of birth, citizenship, residential address, and digital address, among others.
In addition to the comprehensive national identity register, NIA and its technical partner, Identity Management Systems II Limited (IMS II), have built a credible and robust National Identification System (NIS) which includes:
a. A state-of-the-art back-end (technical) system;
b. A dependable data verification system platform that is currently being used by various businesses nationwide including:
c. i. All 25 universal banks in Ghana ii. All 145 Rural Banks iii. 19 Savings and Loans institutions iv. Five Micro-Finance/Micro-Credit institutions v. Five Finance and Leasing institutions vi. 16 Fintechs vii. Nine state institutions including SSNIT, GRA, NHIA and Students Loan Trust Fund viii. Six Telecommunications companies (telcos);
d. A Ghana Card issued to applicants – the card is integrated and harmonized with other databases such as those of SSNIT, GRA, NHIA, and all banks and telcos in the country. The Ghana Card is secure with high-level encryption, digital certificates, and Public Key Infrastructure, and meets the highest global standards. It is a contact and contactless smartcard with a 148k memory chip as well as secure printing that meets the global standards of ICAO and the National Institute of Standards and Technology, with open standards. In addition, the card is unique and operates with a biometric verification system that is fast, accurate and not limited by geography.
So far, there have been more than 7.2 million biometric verifications without a single hitch. The Ghana Card verification system also has the capability to track and trace all transactions and return accurate and up-to-date information on the status of each individual, including banking and voting transactions.
Finally, as the single truth anchor for the verification of persons, the Ghana Card constitutes a single source of truth in identity management in Ghana, and will ensure political stability and development, as well as economic and social inclusion. So far, NIA has shared vital data with the Ghana Police Service, EOCO and the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB), to assist in crime detection, investigation and prosecution.
Hon. Ablakwa is entitled to pursue all reasonable measures to tackle the spate of conflict of interest in our beloved country. He is, however, not entitled to attack and undermine the credibility of the National ID exercise, the NIS or any state institution without just cause.
3. The Kusi Boateng – Adu Gyamfi Ghana Card Revelation
Hon. Ablakwa notes that the “latest Kusi Boateng – Adu Gyamfi Ghana card revelation” fortifies his conviction even more that investigations are warranted into some dubious monetary transfer involving Victor Kusi Boateng/Kwabena Adu Gyamfi in connection with the National Cathedral Project. That may be so. But as far as NIA is concerned, there is nothing revelatory in Hon. Ablakwa’s post about NIA. He provides the application details of only Kwabena Adu Gyamfi, with 30th December 1969 as his date of birth, but not those of Victor Kusi Boateng, with 7th September 1971 as his date of birth. Hon. Ablakwa does not provide any records of Victor Kusi Boateng from the NIA database because none exists!
Again, Hon. Ablakwa’s claim that his “rare and comprehensive analysis of the NIA database” discloses that “the biometrics … of Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng matches that of Kwabena Adu Gyamfi” rings hollow. The claim is false because there is no biometric record of any person in the NIA database called Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng and, therefore, Hon. Ablakwa could not have conducted any comparative analysis of that non-existent data with that of Kwabena Adu Gyamfi”.
The claim to having conducted “a rare and comprehensive analysis of the NIA database” is a mere self-praise; indeed, it is both rare and uncanny. Hon. Ablakwa provides no empirical evidence of the biometrics of Victor Kusi Boateng precisely, as there is none, and if there is, it is not derived from the NIA database!
4. Invoking the Spectre of the Aisha Huang Affair As far as NIA is concerned, there was nothing embarrassing about its handling of the Aisha Huang affair. On the contrary, there was everything celebratory about NIA’s handling of Aisha Huang’s attempted fraudulent registration for the Ghana Card, in that it was the vigilance of its personnel and the robustness of its technical system that resulted in her exposure.
The NIR does not contain any record of a person named Aisha Huang, a point that was made abundantly clear by the NIA when the “Aisha Huang Story” broke. Raising the spectre of the dead Aisha Huang non-story is both unnecessary and disingenuous. NIA’s verification system functioned as designed to enable NIA to prevent En Huang (the so-called Aisha Huang) from registering under a new name and date of birth for a new Non-Citizen Ghana Card, despite her being in possession of two different Chinese passports. NIA deserves commendation, not condemnation!
In short, the allegations against NIA by Hon. Okudzeto Ablakwa are without merit or foundation and must be ignored by Ghanaians. NIA urges Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa respects state institutions doing their best to build the nation. The insinuations and castigations will not change NIA’s resolve to remain focused, rigorous and coherent in fulfilling its statutory mandate. End.
The National Cathedral Secretariat’s claim that they borrowed money from the Board of Trustees secretary, Reverend Kusi Boateng, has been contested by Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, MP for North Tongu.
The GH¢2.6 million loaned amount has been contested by the MP who insists it was an irregular payment for no work done.
Ablakwa revealed on the January 27, 2023 edition of the Good Morning Ghana programme that it turns out that JNS Talent Center, a company Kusi Member is connected to, had received monies from COVID-19 funds, out of which they allegedly loaned a portion to the cathedral.
“This claim that he did us a favour and he gave the Cathedral Secretariat a loan …even though the Cathedral bank statement I have secured, at the time they said they were in distress and needed GH¢2.6 million desperately, they had GHC6 million sitting in their account.
“The bank statement of the National Cathedral at ADB, they had six million sitting in that account, so that story doesn’t add up,” he stressed.
He continued: “We now know that they (Kusi Boateng and JNS Talent Center) did their country no favour. It was our own money GH¢3.5 million COVID cash which he received for supplying tissue paper.”
He also tasked the Auditor-General to review their current report on COVID funds and capture the said transaction because there were doubts as to whether the tissue paper supplies were even honoured.
According to the vociferous legislator, this was due to the government’s refusal to settle contractors.
He also added that the contractors have been shocked by the amount of money that the government has expended in the name of the National Cathedral.
Speaking on Citi TV, he said “Since the 14th of March 2022, 10 months after now the contractors have abandoned the project. I have a copy of all the termination letters they served all their workers. They said the government had not been paying them. I have insiders in those companies and they are shocked at the massive figures flying around. And you don’t see the project being executed.”
Meanwhile, the Executive Director of the project, Dr. Paul Opoku-Mensah, on Tuesday, August 30, 2022, confirmed the suspension of work despite the continued presence of contractors and their staff on site.
“We have the contractors and their staff on site, but the work has been suspended. We are hoping that within the next couple of weeks, as part of our fundraising and other initiatives, we can begin work again,” he told a delegation that had come to donate towards the project.
He added thus: “our ability to complete this work keenly depends on Ghanaians supporting it.”
He rallied the Christian faithful to ramp up their support for the project, stressing that it was the surest way to raise needed funds to complete the project.
“The money might be big in terms of volume but if indeed we have 21 million Christians and a million can give us GH₵100 a month for a year, we can easily complete this in time.
“I refuse to believe that we can’t get a million Ghanaians out of the 21 million Christians to support this. I still have faith in the Ghanaian and I am confident that we will do this,” he added.
The Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has expressed dissatisfaction with answers regarding the GH¢2.6 million scandal involving the Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral, Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng.
Mr. Ablakwa in his exposé alleged that JNS Talent Centre Ltd owned by Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng was paid some GH¢2.6 million to help build the National Cathedral, under the pseudonym name Kwabena Adu Gyamfi.
According to him, documents in his possession reveal that Kwabena Adu Gyamfi is the same as Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng who still serves on the National Cathedral Board as an Executive Council Member/Director.
However, the Secretariat in a statement explained that the GH₵2.6 million was a refund to JNS talent and not an amount illegally paid to the company.
The lawmaker petitioned the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to investigate Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng.
But in a response to the allegations, Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng in a statement said Mr. Ablakwa’s claims are a “twisted narration of events”, threatening to take the MP on.
“I wish to assure the general public that the statements made by Mr Ablakwa are a twisted narration of events to pursue a malicious political agenda. There has never been any criminal intent nor any crime committed in my dealings with the Government of Ghana or the National Cathedral.
“I look forward to the (CHRAJ) enquiry during which I will present my side of the matter to the Commission. I will subsequently also address the matters fully in public without first seeking to prejudice the public mind as he has done. Additionally, when all is done, I will seek redress against Mr Ablakwa for his deliberate defamatory statements against me,” the founder of Power Chapel Worldwide noted.
Speaking on Face to Face on Citi TV with Umaru Sanda Amadu, the legislator called the bluff of the Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral, charging him to bring bear his facts and stop the empty threats.
“No he’s the same person, I have tracked his travels, he’s the same person. I have videos of Kwabena Adu Gyamfi.”
“That dubious GH¢2.6 million payment, we will get to the bottom of it. Last Sunday he said when you are going up, demons will disturb you. I don’t know which up he’s talking about, whether it’s a mysterious ladder, fraudulent ladder, or corruption ladder, I don’t know which one he’s talking about because it’s a simple matter,” the MP said on Face to Face on Citi TV.
He doubted if due diligence was done before the state issued a diplomatic passport to Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng.
The lawmaker said the Foreign Affairs Minister Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey will be summoned by Parliament to answer questions in that regard.
“What due diligence was done before granting him a diplomatic passport? How is it that you appoint somebody, give him an appointment letter as Rev.Kusi Boateng? And then when you are issuing him a diplomatic passport to enhance his work, it’s in another name, are you complicit? The Foreign Affairs Minister [Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey] will be summoned to Parliament to answer questions,” Mr. Ablakwa said.
Global CEO of the HuD Group, Dr. Yaw Perbi, is calling for an audit on the amount spent so far on the National Cathedral project.
Since 2022, the National Cathedral project has been marred with a number of scandals. The Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has been on a quest to uncover what he deems dishonesty at the National Cathedral Secretariat.
He alleges that around GH2.6 million was given to a business controlled by Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng, a member of the cathedral’s board, without reasonable explanation.
Amidst the allegations, Mr Perbi has suggested that government should halt ongoing works on the project in order to give a vivid update to Ghanaians, as well as clear the air.
“If we decide to move forward after the audit, I suggest we give it time. If it is not Nana Akufo-Addo’s cathedral but Ghana’s, then let’s take our time to do it. We also need to be transparent. There is too much darkness surrounding the project. Let us also allow God’s people to build God’s church.”
“Lastly, we must be as passionate about our software as we are about the hardware bearing in mind that God does not just require the building but is interested in our values, behaviours, attitudes, and systems,” he added.
The National Cathedral project was launched by the Akufo-Addo-led administration in March 2017 as a concrete expression of the nation’s societal harmony, spirituality, and unity.
The $360 million interdenominational cathedral will have a 5,000-seat auditorium, chapels, and a baptistery. Its completion has been scheduled for March 2024, but currently, construction works have been suspended due to lack of funds.
Amid an economy deemed to be in crisis, some Ghanaians believe constructing a cathedral is not the optimal way to utilise the country’s scarce resources.
Despite the criticisms against the President, he has pledged to complete the construction of the building.
In 2021, the Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral Secretariat, Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng, provided explanations on why there was the need for Ghana to build the national edifice.
Speaking in an interview with JoyNews, the preacher, who has recently been at the center of a lot of controversies, said that the building of a National Cathedral goes beyond a religious act.
He explained that the building of the edifice will bring a lot of economic benefits to the country, including boosting the tourism sector.
“We can go beyond the cathedral, into using this particular opportunity of being trusted by the president to, in a way, translate it into religious tourism. In this time and age of this nation, I don’t know why it is wrong for us to bring dynamism or for us to really come up with a concept that will be nothing short of religious tourism.
“What we are doing goes beyond building a church. What we are doing… you realise will bring a lot of air traffic (sic)… but it is a venture that will translate the purposes of our desire for revolution in our tourism industry,” he said.
Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng also explained that the economic benefits of the building to the nation are necessary, much as it will be historic.
“And so, at this time, in the history of this nation, we need such a thing. Besides its spiritual significance, we can never underestimate its economic benefits this nation will get,” he explained.
Rev. Kusi Boateng has recently been accused by the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, of a conflict of interest in business transactions undertaken by the National Cathedral Secretariat and the JNS Talents Centre, which runs a crèche at Dawhenya.
According to the MP, the company, which he later revealed was owned by the preacher but under a different name, was paid some GH¢2.6 million to help it build the cathedral.
The MP also produced documents to the effect that Kusi Boateng has multiple passports (including a diplomatic one) bearing different names apart from what he is popularly known as.
Rev. Kusi Boateng has however denied all the allegations against him.
The Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has recalled a moment he describes as a “never-before-time” in parliament when the government completely forgot an entire budget for a region in its yearly budget.
He explained that this was in November of 2019 when the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, came to present the 2020 Budget Statement and Economic Policy to the House.
Recalling this on Friday, January 20, 2023, edition of Good Morning Ghana on Metro TV, the MP said that it took his scrutiny of the statement to be able to identify the major omission.
“You remember when the Year of Roads budget was presented? I quickly went through the budget and discovered that the Volta Region had been left out – November 2019, for the 2020 Year of roads,- and then we drew attention,” he said.
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa went on to say that the minister, in order to express gratitude to the Minority, had to return to parliament the next day just to present a budget for the Volta Region.
He added that the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, was also grateful to them because he knew that their discovery had saved them from an unintended consequence.
“So, the next day – it was the first time it had happened in the history of Ghana’s parliament, the finance minister came back to the House and presented a budget, listing projects for the Volta Region, and even commended us for discovering that; that it was an oversight; it was a major slip, and if we hadn’t discovered it, and 2020 had come, and Voltarians found out later on, the consequences would have been dire,” he added.
Presidential Staffer Dennis Miracles Aboagye has accused North Tongu Member of Parliament Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa of harming the reputation of innocent people before availing himself to the facts of a matter.
He says the opposition lawmaker engages in drama and theatrics when issues come up only to realise later that he did not have the facts.
Whenever Mr Ablakwa’s falsehoods are exposed by the facts, he quickly changes his claims, Mr Miracles Aboagye said on the Key Points on TV3 Saturday, January 21qhil3 contributing to a topic on the National Cathedral project.
“I am worried that a Member of Parliament will embark on this dangerous activity. Investigate and find out facts before coming out and calling names,” he said.
On Tuesday, January 17, Secretary to the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral, Rev Kusi Boateng rejected the allegations made against him by Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
Mr Ablakwa had presented what he described as “unimpeachable” and “incontrovertible” evidence against him.
According to the opposition lawmaker, Rev Kusi Boateng is the third “mystery” director of JNS Talent Cantre Limited, a firm he had earlier accused of receiving GH¢2.6 million illegal cash transfer from the Secretariat.
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,” he said.
For the avoidance of doubt, he added, 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, he said.
“Rev. Victor Kusi-Boateng AKA Kwabena Adu Gyamfi thought he had outwitted every Ghanaian, particularly our authorities whom he dribbled for many years; but the day of reckoning is finally here.”
Mr Ablakwa has further petitioned the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice ( CHRAJ) to look into the matter.
But responding to him in a statement, Rev Kusi Boateng said he looks forward to CHRAJ’s probe.
“I wish to assure the public that the statement made by Mr Ablakwa are a twisted narration of events to pursue a malicious political agenda. There has never been any criminal intent nor any crime committed in my dealings with the government of Ghana or National Cathedral,” he said.
Reverend Kusi Boateng, secretary of the Board of Trustees, is the subject of yet another shocking revelation from North Tongu MP, Hon. Samuel Okudjeto Ablakwa.
Rev. Kusi Boateng had two biological moms, Yaa Gyamfua and Agnes Ataah, according to Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
According to him, he discovered that aside from the double dates of birth and double TIN numbers, Rev. Kusi Boateng also used two different names to represent his mother’s identity in his Taxpayer Registration Form.
On the 13th of August, 2013 when he filled his Taxpayer Registration Form at the GRA under the name Victor Kusi Boateng with September 7, 1971 as the date of birth, he declared that his mother’s maiden last name is Ataah, and her first name is Agnes.
“… Last night, Paul Adom Otchere in Rev Kusi Boateng’s defence told the country for the first time that the reason why Rev Kusi Boateng had to, at some point, drop Kusi Boateng and was using Kwabena Adu Gyamfi is that, during the Rawlings coup, his father was killed as part of the military excesses. Paul revealed that Rev Kusi was then told to take his mother’s name. So, Adu Gyamfi is his maternal name. When he was going for his , told GRA that his mother’s last name is Gyamfua and her first name is Yaa. So that aligns with what Paul Adom Otchere said on Good Evening Ghana.
“So, I decided to go for what he told GRA when he was Victor Kusi Boateng and I think GRA didn’t know they are dealing with the same person. So as Victor Kusi Boateng, he told GRA in his own handwriting on the 20th of August 2013 that his mother’s maiden last name is Ataah and her first name is Agnes.
“I’m revealing it for the first time that he only doesn’t have two names, two dates of birth, he also has two mothers,” he said on Good Morning Ghana.
The National Cathedral has been one of the topical issues this week following some shocking revelations made by The North Tongu MP.
On Monday, January 16 the lawmaker accused the Secretary of the National Cathedral Board of Trustees, Rev. Victor Kusi-Boateng, of a conflict of interest and possession of multiple identities.
According to him, Rev. Victor Kusi-Boateng appears to be using questionable means to divert funds from the National Cathedral project.
He has since petitioned the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to investigate the matter.
In his petition, Mr Ablakwa accused Rev. Kusi-Boateng of receiving GH¢2.6 million from the National Cathedral Board, alleging that he was the same person as Kwabena Adu Gyamfi.
He also claimed that Rev. Kusi-Boateng used multiple passports and identification cards with different names and dates of birth.
