Ablakwa accuses Akufo-Addo of deceiving religious leaders, God over National Cathedral funding

The Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has accused President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, of deceiving the public, religious leaders, and even God about sources of funding for the National Cathedral project.

According to Okudzeto Ablakwa, the president has been dishonest regarding the funding of the National Cathedral, as reported by citinewsroom.com.

The MP described the president's actions as a blatant disregard of the constitution, emphasising the failure to secure parliamentary approval for the use of public funds to support his argument.

“How on earth can you spend $58.1 million to establish the world’s most expensive pit? In the name of building a Cathedral? And the deception, you tell us you won’t use public funds, it’s a private pledge, only for me to start intercepting documents. Apparently, the eminent clergy has been deceived, the Ghanaian people have been deceived, and worst of all the Almighty [God] has been deceived.

“I made an RTI request to the Procurement Authority on whether they are aware of this project, and they promptly responded, no, it has not come to their procurement process, and they know nothing about the project.

“I mean unbelievable and shocking levels of lack of accountability, lack of due process, and disregard for our constitution. The constitution is very clear, you cannot spend public funds without parliamentary approval, and all of that, fragrant violence of our Constitution and our laws," he stated.

On July 3, 2024, the Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance, Abena Osei Asare, addressed Parliament and disclosed that an amount of GH₵339 million had been disbursed for the National Cathedral project.

She indicated that the ministry had committed this funding to ensure the project’s completion, providing it with the necessary financial support.

Despite assurances that public funds would not be used for the project, it was later discovered that state funds had been allocated to support the construction, igniting widespread criticisms.

JKB/AE

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