North Tongu legislator Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa stands for the prosecution of individuals linked to the National Cathedral initiative for allegedly causing financial loss to the state. He expresses his profound disappointment at the prospect of his party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), assuming power without taking legal action against those involved in the project.
“This National Cathedral, I will be very disappointed if NDC comes to power and nobody is prosecuted,” he said on the Key Points on TV3 on Saturday, August 3.
Recently, a Professor at the University of Ghana, Ransford Gyampo, also suggested that if possible, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo should be held accountable for causing financial loss to the state in relation to the national cathedral project.
If holding him responsible is not possible, then it was proposed that his ex gratia should be withheld when he ends his term in office. Prof Gyampo emphasized the necessity for a member of the government to face repercussions for allocating a substantial amount of public funds to a project that has not yet materialize.
During an appearance on the Key Points program on TV3 on Saturday, July 27, Prof Gyampo articulated, “Regarding the National Cathedral, I firmly believe that an individual should be legally pursued for causing financial loss to the state. President Akufo-Addo himself should bear some form of consequences.”
“If it is possible, let us freeze his gratuity to be used in paying for the covering of the cathedral. If that is not enough then we sue him for having caused financial loss to the state,” he said.
It is noted that recently, the Minister of State at the Finance Ministry, Abena Osei-Asare revealed that the government has allocated GH¢339 million towards the National Cathedral project since 2020. The Deputy Finance Minister mentioned that the project’s financial records are presently undergoing auditing by Deloitte Ghana.
“The total releases made for the National Cathedral by the government to date remain at GH¢339 million. This figure comprises GH¢225 million paid to the National Cathedral Secretariat, and GH¢113 million paid directly to the project consultant.
“There was a value-for-money audit done on the project in 2021. Also, a statutory audit of the National Cathedral of Ghana accounts by Deloitte Ghana was started in July 2023 and is ongoing.
“Auditors had concluded the audit of the 18-month account ended December 31, 2020. Meanwhile, preparations are in place for the auditors to complete the remaining accounts for the periods ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023,” the Deputy Finance Minister noted.
Since construction began in 2020, the National Cathedral project has been faced with controversy. The construction of this monumental edifice has sparked debates encompassing a variety of subjects, ranging from the timeliness and necessity of its existence to the transparency and management of the allocated funds for its development.
