‘Imprison me if you want’ – Kusi Boateng

The Founder and Leader of Power Chapel Worldwide and former Secretary of the National Cathedral Board of Trustees, Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng, has declared that he is prepared to go to prison rather than conceal or sever his relationship with former Vice President and New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia. Rev. Kusi Boateng made the remarks while addressing his congregation in a video circulating on social media, in which he openly defended his friendship with Dr Bawumia and his wife, Hajia Samira Bawumia. He said he had no intention of pretending that he was not close to the couple simply because their relationship had attracted public criticism. “If for this reason, anybody wants to imprison me, go ahead,” he said.

Rev. Kusi Boateng, who referred to his previous experience of imprisonment, said the prospect of being incarcerated again would not intimidate him. “Prison is not for animals. It is for human beings. I have been there. I didn’t die. I came back,” he added. He insisted that maintaining a friendship with Dr Bawumia was not an offence and rejected suggestions that he should distance himself from the former Vice President. “Dr Bawumia is my friend and will continue to be my friend. I will not hide. I am not a hypocrite,” he said. He also described Dr Bawumia and Hajia Samira as close friends and family members, maintaining that he is unapologetic about the relationship.

Although Rev. Kusi Boateng had not named a specific case or investigation as the basis for his reference to possible imprisonment, his comments come amid continuing scrutiny of the controversial National Cathedral project, where he served as a Secretary on the Board of Trustees. The project has since been subjected to investigations by several agencies, including the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), the National Investigations Bureau and Deloitte. A broader forensic audit commissioned under the current administration is also being undertaken.

President John Dramani Mahama’s administration has dissolved the National Cathedral Secretariat in May 2025 and subsequently initiated steps towards the dissolution of the Board of Trustees. A Deloitte audit covering the Secretariat’s operations between 2021 and 2023 identified a number of financial and procurement irregularities and raised concerns over aspects of the management of funds associated with the project. The government then directed the Auditor-General to commission a wider forensic audit, arguing that the Deloitte exercise did not cover the full scope of the National Cathedral project and its Secretariat.

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr Dominic Ayine, in January 2026 indicated that his office could not determine whether prosecution should be pursued in connection with the project until the forensic audit report was received. Meanwhile in December 2025, Dr Ayine noted that PwC, the firm engaged to conduct the forensic examination, had made substantial progress and was approaching completion. Rev. Kusi Boateng’s involvement in the National Cathedral controversy became particularly prominent in 2023 after the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, petitioned CHRAJ over allegations including conflict of interest, financial impropriety and the alleged use of multiple identities.

CHRAJ acting on the petition, found no evidence that Rev. Kusi Boateng had been issued two passports under different names. It established that he held a passport with the name Kwabena Adu Gyamfi but found no evidence that he had been issued another passport in the name Kusi Boateng. The commission, however, recommended further investigation and possible prosecution of members of the National Cathedral Board of Trustees over procurement-related matters concerning the award of a construction contract to Ribade Company. Another issue examined by CHRAJ involved a payment of about GH¢2.6 million to JNS Talent Centre Limited. The commission found that the company had not provided services for the payment but concluded that the amount represented reimbursement to Rev. Kusi Boateng for money he had advanced to contractors at a time when the National Cathedral Secretariat was experiencing financial difficulties.

The controversy subsequently spilled into the courts. In March 2026, the Court of Appeal dismissed an appeal brought by Rev. Kusi Boateng against Mr Ablakwa. The court held that the claims made by the MP were grounded in truth and public interest and awarded GH¢40,000 in costs against Rev. Kusi Boateng. His latest comments have therefore emerged against continuing public and institutional scrutiny of the National Cathedral project, with attention now focused on the outcome of the broader forensic audit. Rev. Kusi Boateng’s remarks, however, centred on his personal relationship with Dr Bawumia and his determination not to allow criticism or the prospect of imprisonment to dictate whom he considers a friend.

By: Joyce Owusu