Ablakwa exposes over GH¢20,000 salary payments to National Cathedral staff in December

The Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has raised concerns about salary payments to staff of the controversial National Cathedral project, despite the project being declared illegal by the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ).

In a detailed post on Facebook on January 4, 2025, Ablakwa revealed that intercepted payment records by his outfit showed the project secretariat received salary payments ranging from GH¢20,000 to GH¢29,000 each in December.

Ablakwa criticised the outgoing Akufo-Addo-led administration for proceeding with payments despite the country's economic challenges, which burden the state coffers.

He also pointed out that this was happening despite CHRAJ's recommendation to prosecute officials involved in the project.

“Intercepted payment records confirm that, only 4 days ago, staff of the notoriously wasteful National Cathedral Secretariat were paid between GHS20,721.00 and GHS29,838.00 each as their December salary (see evidence attached).

“Shockingly, these fat salaries continue to be paid by the outgoing, intransigent Akufo-Addo/Bawumia administration, despite a November CHRAJ report declaring the cathedral project illegal and recommending the prosecution of officials associated with that unlawful enterprise,” he posted.

The lawmaker, a vocal critic of the government, further condemned the president, pointing out how the project has led to significant financial loss for the state.

“President Akufo-Addo is obviously too embarrassed to report to the nation on his US$58million National Cathedral fiasco, but he should have been more embarrassed superintending reckless salary payments which constitute an unconscionable and unmitigated financial loss to the state after 33 months since the world’s most expensive pit was abandoned,” he fumed.

He added, “There shall be no January 2025 salary payment for the National Cathedral Secretariat, and it can safely be predicted that all those illegal, tax-guzzling cathedral structures will be dissolved in a few days.”

Ablakwa assured that the next government would take action on the issue, ensuring that those found responsible for any wrongdoing would be prosecuted.

Read Okudzeto Ablakwa’s full post below:

Even as President Akufo-Addo was loudly silent on his scandalous US$58million cathedral pit during yesterday’s State of the Nation Address — a legacy project he once described as his priority of priorities, it is most insulting to suffering Ghanaian taxpayers, and the height of… pic.twitter.com/BySfdpNGGs

— Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa (@S_OkudzetoAblak) January 4, 2025