President John Mahama has announced that an investigation into the spending of the National Cathedral project will soon begin.
This follows a directive from the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to audit the project and look into any potential misuse of public funds.
The project has been criticized for alleged corruption and poor financial management, raising concerns about its transparency and feasibility.
Speaking at a Christian National Prayer and Thanksgiving Service at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), President Mahama questioned the financial sense of pushing ahead with the project amid the country’s economic difficulties.
He stressed the importance of accountability, saying it is crucial to protect public resources.
“With regard to the contentious National Cathedral, CHRAJ directed the government to audit the project and investigate potential misuse of public funds. We will soon initiate a thorough investigation into this matter,” the President assured attendees.
Mahama also criticized the high cost of the project, questioning the justification for spending $400 million in the current economic climate.
The President assured attendees that a thorough investigation into the project would begin soon.
“This project must be completed at a reasonable cost. Given the current circumstances that Ghana is facing, it makes no sense to undertake such a project at a whooping sum of $400 million. I am informed that the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja, which serves all Christian denominations in Nigeria, was built at a cost of $30 million. I believe we can achieve this project at a much more reasonable figure, and together, we can raise the necessary funds,” he said.
He added that if the government decides to continue with the project, the location will be reconsidered.
“Such a reconsideration of this project might even include changing the current site that was chosen for the project,” he said.
Mahama also emphasized that no state funds would be used for the National Cathedral.
He stated that it is important for all Christians to reach an agreement on how to proceed with the project without relying on public money.
“On the future of the project, the Cathedral, I believe that all of us, as Christians, must forge a consensus on how to achieve this project without recourse to public funds.”
SOURCE: Mubarak Yakubu
