The Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has sharply criticized President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for allegedly misleading the public regarding the funding of the National Cathedral project.
Ablakwa accused the President of deceiving not only the Ghanaian public but also religious leaders and even God about the sources of funding for the project. He highlighted that, despite initial promises that no public funds would be used, it was later revealed that state resources had indeed been allocated to the construction, a move that sparked significant controversy and backlash.
In an interview on *The Point of View* with Selorm Adonoo on Channel One TV, Ablakwa expressed his outrage, calling the President’s actions a severe breach of the Constitution, especially since there was no parliamentary approval for the use of public funds in the project.
“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,” Ablakwa stated.
He further revealed that when he filed a Right to Information (RTI) request to the Procurement Authority to inquire about the project, they responded that they were unaware of it and that it had not gone through the proper procurement processes.
“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 is a flagrant violation of our Constitution and our laws,” Ablakwa asserted.
Earlier, on July 3, 2024, the Minister of State at the Finance Ministry, Abena Osei Asare, informed Parliament that GH₵339 million had been disbursed for the National Cathedral project. She explained that the funds were committed by the ministry to ensure the project’s completion, emphasizing the financial support needed to advance the construction.
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