Okudzeto Ablakwa questions the release of GHS25million for National Cathedral projects

The Member of Parliament of North Tongu Constituency in the Volta Region, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has questioned the government’s decisions to release a whooping GHS25million into the National Cathedral projects.

According to the lawmaker, he cannot fathom how such an amount could be raised for a project considering the economic hardship facing the country under President Akufo-Addo’s administration.

Adding that, the same government in their capacity cannot pay National Service Personnel and other workers in the name of lack of funds.

Mr. Ablakwa’s concerns come after the government granted the release of GH¢25 million to the National Cathedral Secretariat as additional seed money for the construction of the National Cathedral.

A statement was issued on Thursday, June 2, 2022, signed by the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, and copied to the Controller and Accountant’s General Department asking that the money be sent to Ribade Limited, for part payment of outstanding claims.

“Authority is hereby granted to you to release the sum GH¢25, 000,000.00 as additional seed money to the National Cathedral Secretariat for the construction of the National Cathedral for part payment of outstanding claims from RIBADE Limited.”

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But reacting to the news barely 24 hours, the MP asked “Considering the current debilitating economic crisis, why is the Akufo-Addo government releasing a colossal GHS25million for the National Cathedral project?”

“Shockingly, this is the same government claiming lack of funds to pay NABCo trainees, School feeding caterers, service personnel, the 3-year no-textbooks-syndrome,” Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said on a Facebook page.

He thus threatened that the minority “shall be demanding urgent answers in Parliament,” since it is manifestly insensitive conduct without parliamentary approval.

The Ranking Member, Committee on Foreign Affairs, believes the gross lack of priority on part of the government cannot be pleasing to the compassionate God we all serve.

National Cathedral Project

President Akufo-Addo in March 2017, proposed the construction of a National Cathedral that is sited close to the State House in Accra.

At the ground-breaking ceremony, the President described the proposed Cathedral as an interdenominational worship project which is also a thanksgiving gesture to God for the blessings bestowed on Ghana on the occasion of her 60th-anniversary.

The architectural and structural design of the National Cathedral was done by British-Ghanaian architect Sir David Adjaye, the founder and principal of Adjaye Associates.

The $350 million project will have an auditorium of 5,000-seater which will be expandable to 15,000-seater for national events and celebrations as well as chapels and a baptistery.

It will also include, among others, a grand central hall, and a music school, and will house Africa’s first-ever Bible Museum and documentation center.

In defense amidst criticism, President Akufo-Addo noted that the construction is in fulfillment of a promise he made to God before winning the 2016 general elections.