The National Cathedral project should have been halted if we had listened. Miracles Aboagye

New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential candidate Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia's spokesperson, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, has admitted that the government ought to have put a stop to the contentious National Cathedral project. He said the public's opposition to the project taught the NPP a "big lesson," which he says helped the party lose the general election in 2024. The National Cathedral project, which was started by President Akufo-Addo in 2018, has been the subject of intense criticism and calls for accountability due to the more than GH¢225 million that was spent on its development. Regarding the project's effect on the party's prospects, Aboagye said in an interview with Joy News:

The National Cathedral is the subject of this problem. Even though you may be adamant about it, if you are punished by the people, you learn from it and realize that if you are doing something for the people and they say they don't want it, you might want to give a national address and say something like, "I've been trying to do this thing and the feedback I'm getting is that you don't want it." He also criticized the project's management, emphasizing the value of clear communication in projects of a similar nature in the future:

I don't believe the communication was handled properly, even throughout the demolition phase, when the location was marked. When you fall short in that area, you give your critics the opportunity to exploit you and control the discussion. The main lesson I learned from the National Cathedral is that we let those who clearly gain politically from the aftermath control the story. In preparation for upcoming elections, Aboagye stated that the NPP is taking lessons from the past and trying to restore public confidence.

CHRAJ's National Cathedral Investigation In the meantime, an inquiry of the Board of Trustees in charge of the National Cathedral project has been demanded by the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ). As of May 31, 2022, CHRAJ reported that more over GH¢225 million had been spent on the project, according to a report signed by Commissioner Dr. Joseph Whittal and dated November 22, 2024. Citing strong public interest, the report emphasized the need to guarantee value for money and pointed out infractions of the Procurement Act (Act 663). A comprehensive investigation and potential prosecution of individuals implicated were suggested by CHRAJ.

Source: pulse.com.gh