Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the North Tongu lawmaker, has called for the prosecution of individuals linked to the National Cathedral project, accusing them of causing significant financial loss to the state.
Ablakwa’s remarks came during an interview on TV3’s Key Points on August 3, where he expressed strong dissatisfaction over handling the project.
Ablakwa, a member of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), warned that he would be deeply disappointed if the NDC fails to pursue legal action against those responsible should the party come into power.
“If NDC comes to power and no one is prosecuted for the National Cathedral, I will be very disappointed,” he stated.
The controversy surrounding the National Cathedral project has also drawn criticism from academia. Professor Ransford Gyampo of the University of Ghana has suggested that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo should face legal consequences or have his ex gratia frozen as compensation for alleged financial mismanagement related to the project.
Speaking on July 27, Gyampo proposed that if direct legal action is not feasible, the President’s gratuity could be used to offset the costs associated with the cathedral’s construction.
Since its inception in 2020, the National Cathedral project has faced intense scrutiny. Recent disclosures by Abena Osei-Asare, Minister of State at the Finance Ministry, revealed that the government had spent GH¢339 million on the project.
This figure includes GH¢225 million allocated to the National Cathedral Secretariat and GH¢113 million to the project consultant.
The Deputy Finance Minister also confirmed that Deloitte Ghana audits the project’s accounts. This audit began in July 2023 and aimed to review financial activities from 2020 to 2023. Previous audits have covered the period up to December 31, 2020.
The project has been a focal point of debate, raising questions about its necessity, transparency, and the effective use of public funds.
The ongoing controversies highlight the broader discussions on fiscal responsibility and governance in Ghana.
