Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has made 11 demands to President Akufo-Addo regarding the “abandoned” National Cathedral project.
Ablakwa’s demands come amidst a confrontation between MPs and officials of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) with Ghana Armed Forces personnel while attempting to access the National Cathedral site.
This incident occurred following the government’s announcement that the project would be commissioned on March 6, 2024, but that was not the case.
Below are Mr Ablakwa’s demands.
1. An explanation from President Akufo-Addo on why he failed to fulfill his promise to God, to Parliament and to the sovereign Ghanaian people — the promise to commission his US$450million (GHS5.7billion) “priority of priorities” cathedral today the 6th of March 2024;
2. Full accountability on what happened to our US$58,141,509.52 (GHS740million) why all we see here is the world’s most expensive pit and why the contractors, RIBADE JV abandoned the project for lack of payment 2 years ago;
3. A comprehensive report on how much it has cost the state to so far replace and compensate some owners of demolished properties, and how much is still outstanding considering that aggrieved demolished property owners such as Waterstone Realty have resorted to the courts. We note that the following properties were recklessly demolished on the orders of President Akufo-Addo: Bungalows for Judges, Judicial Training Institute, Passport Head Office, Scholarship Secretariat, Bungalows for CHRAJ, Waterstone Realty Luxury Apartment Complex, Headquarters of Comsys IT Firm and the Malian Ambassador’s Residence;
4. Contract must be immediately terminated to avoid further financial loss to the state. According to the contract, Ghana will have to pay Extension of Time Claims, Standing Time Claims, Abortive & Re-Works Cost due to Main Contractor Suspension;
5. Board of Trustees must be dissolved without delay;
6. National Cathedral Secretariat should be immediately closed. So far this secretariat has received GHS225,962,500. (Refer to organogram as attached)
7. Retrievals from the following persons: David Adjaye — US$19.6million (GHS250million) Cary Summers — US$6million (GHS76million) Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng/Kwabena Adu Gyamfi — GHS2.6million
8. Publication of the Deloitte audit which was promised on 24th January, 2023 — more than a year ago;
9. That the Board of Trustees and the National Cathedral Secretariat account for all private donations so far received, particularly their infamous US operations.
10. All those responsible for this gross financial loss to the state must be prosecuted with immediate effect.
11. A national debate leading to a possible national consensus on what should happen to the world’s most expensive pit moving forward. Some have suggested a specialist children’s hospital which Ghana currently lacks, we also note that recently the Secretary-General of the TUC, Dr Anthony Yaw Baah suggested the place be converted to a hospital.
Despite provocative, undemocratic and needless attempts by soldiers and police who were instructed to stop us, we courageously defied the orders of their superiors and had a very successful media engagement earlier today.
Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has called on President Akufo-Addo to immediately dissolve the Board of Trustees for the National Cathedral project.
The current members on the Board include prominent religious figures such as Apostle Prof. Opoku Onyinah, former Chairman of the Church of Pentecost, and Most Rev. Charles Palmer Buckle, Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra.
The MP also wants the National Cathedral Secretariat to be immediately closed after receiving GHS225,962,500.
He wants “the Board of Trustees and the National Cathedral Secretariat account for all private donations so far received, particularly their infamous US operations.”
“All those responsible for this gross financial loss to the state must be prosecuted with immediate effect,” he added.
This comes after a confrontation between MPs and officials of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) with Ghana Armed Forces personnel while attempting to access the National Cathedral site on March 6, 2024 over delay in its completion.
The National Cathedral, a $100-million inter-denominational project, was scheduled for completion before the commissioning date, March 6, as stated by then-Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta during the 2021 mid-year budget review in Parliament.
However, a heavy security presence surrounded the cathedral on Wednesday, leading to a clash with MPs near the new Electoral Commission head office. Both the Ghana Police Service and the military had set up barricades, restricting access to the cathedral site.
Nonetheless, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa symbolically “commissioned” the uncompleted National Cathedral project, highlighting what he perceived as the government’s failure to finish the project.
Following the ceremony, he presented a number of requests to the President with regards to the stalled project.
Mr Ablakwa wants an explanation from President Akufo-Addo on why he failed to fulfill his promise to God, to Parliament and to the sovereign Ghanaian people — the promise to commission his US$450million (GHS5.7billion) “priority of priorities” cathedral.
He is demanding full accountability on what happened to the US$58,141,509.52 (GHS740million) and “why all we see here is the world’s most expensive pit and why the contractors, RIBADE JV abandoned the project for lack of payment 2 years ago.”
The others are as follows; A comprehensive report on how much it has cost the state to so far replace and compensate some owners of demolished properties, and how much is still outstanding considering that aggrieved demolished property owners such as Waterstone Realty have resorted to the courts. We note that the following properties were recklessly demolished on the orders of President Akufo-Addo: Bungalows for Judges, Judicial Training Institute, Passport Head Office, Scholarship Secretariat, Bungalows for CHRAJ, Waterstone Realty Luxury Apartment Complex, Headquarters of Comsys IT Firm and the Malian Ambassador’s Residence.
Contract must be immediately terminated to avoid further financial loss to the state. According to the contract, Ghana will have to pay Extension of Time Claims, Standing Time Claims, Abortive & Re-Works Cost due to Main Contractor Suspension.
Retrievals from the following persons: David Adjaye — US$19.6million (GHS250million) Cary Summers — US$6million (GHS76million) Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng/Kwabena Adu Gyamfi — GHS2.6million.
Publication of the Deloitte audit which was promised on 24th January, 2023 — more than a year ago.
Mr Ablakwa has entreated the NPP Caucus in Parliament to desist from sabotaging the impending Parliamentary Probe after a unanimous parliamentary resolution.
“The NPP’s unpatriotic conduct by deliberately delaying the submission of names of their members to the Rt. Hon. Speaker for the committee to commence work is most condemnable,” he added.
Meanwhile, he has appealed to the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to expedite action and publish the outcome of their investigations following his January 16, 2023 petition.
Mr Ablakwa has again made a clarion call for a national debate leading to a possible national consensus on what should happen to the “world’s most expensive pit moving forward.”
“Some have suggested a specialist children’s hospital which Ghana currently lacks, we also note that recently the Secretary-General of the TUC, Dr Anthony Yaw Baah suggested the place be converted to a hospital,” he added.
Despite provocative, undemocratic and needless attempts by soldiers and police who were instructed to stop us, we courageously defied the orders of their superiors and had a very successful media engagement earlier today.
Members of Parliament (MPs) and officials of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) were involved in a confrontation with Ghana Armed Forces personnel while attempting to access the National Cathedral site.
This incident occurred following the government’s announcement that the project would be commissioned on March 6, 2024.
The National Cathedral, a $100-million inter-denominational project, was scheduled for completion before the commissioning date, as stated by then-Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta during the 2021 mid-year budget review in Parliament.
Despite provocative, undemocratic and needless attempts by soldiers and police who were instructed to stop us, we courageously defied the orders of their superiors and had a very successful media engagement earlier today.
— Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa (@S_OkudzetoAblak) March 6, 2024
However, heavy security presence surrounded the cathedral, leading to the clash with MPs near the new Electoral Commission head office. Both the Ghana Police Service and the Military had set up barricades, restricting access to the cathedral site.
In response to the situation, the MP for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, symbolically “commissioned” the uncompleted National Cathedral project, highlighting what he perceived as the government’s failure to finish the project.
Minister Ofori-Atta reiterated in 2021 that the government would officially commission the ongoing National Cathedral project on Ghana’s 67th Independence Day, March 6, 2024, using the date as a significant occasion for the ceremony.
When delivering the Mid-year Budget Review, the Finance Minister said, “Work on the National Cathedral is progressing speedily.”
“Upon completion, the National Cathedral would provide a sacred space for formal religious activities of State and symbolise the enormous contribution of faith to Nation Building,” he added.
The Communications Director of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah, has reiterated the government’s dedication to the construction of the national cathedral, dismissing claims that the project is misguided.
Mr Ahiagbah emphasized that the project is currently underway.
This affirmation comes in response to a symbolic commissioning of the incomplete National Cathedral by some Minority Members of Parliament, including North Tongu MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
The act aimed to underscore their perception of the government’s failure to complete the project.
Despite facing initial restrictions from security personnel to access the construction site, the Minority MPs negotiated to stand at the entrance, where they planned to hold a press conference expressing dissatisfaction with the ongoing project and its associated costs.
In an interview with Selorm Adonoo on Eyewitness News on Citi FM, Ahiagbah emphasized the importance of not undermining the project and stated that the key challenge is securing more resources to complete it.
He stressed that the project is a work in progress and defended the commitment to building the national cathedral as a noble endeavor.
Ahiagbah concluded by advocating for increased revenue and resources to fulfill various national projects, emphasizing the importance of not underestimating one project’s significance over another.
“I think that the cathedral project is a work in progress. I think that for any project of that magnitude to begin you dig a foundation and you build it out. And so, where it is at, it is at the appropriate stage where in time the structure would be put on it. So, for me, I don’t see any real challenge. I don’t see any appearance of waste because necessarily you must dig the pit and build on it. So, if people want to capitalize that we are building a pit, we haven’t built it out, what I tell them is that it is just a matter of time and the structure would come out.”
“What I am very resolute and clear in my mind about is the commitment to build this and I believe that that commitment and desire to build a national cathedral for the country I think is a noble one and what we have to do is to continue in this effort and I believe that good people will come and support this project for it to see the light of day… “This cathedral thing, I think people make it seem to appear as if it is a misplaced project. It is not… What I think is our solution is that let’s get more revenue and more resources and build all of these things that we are looking for. And let’s not in the process underestimate the importance of one thing over the other,” he stated.
Opposition Members of Parliament, led byNorth Tongu MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, employed a satirical approach by staging a symbolic commissioning of the unfinished National Cathedral project.
Their aim was to spotlight what they perceive as the government’s failure to complete the project.
Initially, their efforts to access the construction site were obstructed by security personnel, preventing them from issuing a statement at the location.
Originally scheduled for commissioning on March 6, as mentioned by former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta in the 2021 budget statement, the cathedral has drawn criticism, particularly from minority MPs dissatisfied with its costs.
Despite being denied access to the site, the minority MPs reached a compromise with security personnel to hold a press conference at the entrance, expressing their discontent with the ongoing project and its expenses.
This symbolic act of commissioning the incomplete National Cathedral highlighted their critique of the government’s handling of the project.
“When the act of parliament had to grind on him [Ofori-Atta], he had to come and beg. Your instructions are that we should not enter, we will not enter, we will stand at the entrance,”Sam George, MP for Ningo-Prampram, said.
Subsequently, they symbolically initiated the commissioning of the cathedral by performing a sod-cutting ceremony on behalf of the president. “We commission this expensive hole on behalf of Dr. Bawumia, President Akufo-Addo and Ken Ofori-Atta.”
Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has made allegations that members of the Board of theNational Cathedral Project continue to receive payments from public funds.
During an interview on TV XYZ on March 5, 2024, prior to his planned media engagement at the purportedly ‘abandoned’ site of the project, Ablakwa also advocated for the dissolution of the National Cathedral Board.
“We are all going to see the world’s most expensive pit and we will be engaging the media and serving a clear notice that all these people keeping our money must prepare to refund our money.
“That whole National Cathedral secretariat must be dissolved. The board must be dissolved. Tomorrow, I will reveal monies that are still being paid to the board—all of them; they are still being paid,” he alleged.
The Member of Parliament is scheduled to address the press today, March 6, 2024, at 2 pm, as indicated by a flyer shared on his social media platforms.
Accompanying his post was a caption stating his intention to engage with the media at what he termed the “World’s Most Expensive Pit,” on the same day President Akufo-Addo vowed to inaugurate his US$450 million (GHS5.7 billion) legacy cathedral, which he deems the “priority of all priorities.”
However, the official project handle has labelled Ablakwa’s media appearance as ‘fake.’
Ablakwa has been prominently vocal among lawmakers, demanding transparency concerning the use of public funds for the cathedral project.
He has highlighted corporate governance breaches, financial irregularities, and identity fraud within the project’s Board of Trustees through social media posts.
His press engagement coincides with social media mockery directed at the government, referencing a screenshot of former finance minister Ken Ofori-Atta’s statement during a budget presentation, suggesting that the project would be inaugurated on March 6, 2024.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYX5um2ZSw4
The project’s progress has been hindered by funding challenges, and the speculated inauguration date remains unconfirmed.
Today, Ghanaians will celebrate the country’s 67th year of independence from colonial rule. The day also marks a day of accountability for the Akufo-Addo government.
During the 2021 mid-year budget review in Parliament on Thursday, July 29, 2021, former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta announced the commissioning date for the National Cathedral project.
He stated that the Cathedral would be officially opened on March 6, 2024, upon its completion.
“Mr. Speaker, work on the National Cathedral is progressing speedily, and following the program of the contractors, and with God helping us, the National Cathedral is expected to be officially commissioned on March 6, 2024. Upon completion, the National Cathedral would provide a sacred space for formal religious activities of State and symbolize the enormous contribution of faith to Nation Building.”
During parliamentary proceedings today to debate the State of the Nation Address (SONA), MP for Ningo-Prampram, Sam George, reminded the House of the former Finance Minister’s statement.
Despite knowing that the project has not been completed, Sam George invited the Majority Leader Afenyo-Markin and other prominent individuals in the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), to make sure they attended the non-existent commissioning ceremony.
“Let me at this juncture invite Members of Parliament, Right Honourable Speaker, tomorrow is a public holiday, but I want to on behalf of government invite you to the commissioning of the national cathedral which was advertised by the former Finance Minister now Finance Minister for International Affairs, that the national cathedral will be commissioned on the 6th March 2024. So I will love to see Honourable K. T. Hammond and Honourable Afenyo Markin at that commissioning,” Sam George.
SONA Debate
Ningo-Prampram MP Sam George invites majority MPs to commissioning of the National Cathedral tomorrow as announced by former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta.#GHOneNews#GHOneTVpic.twitter.com/fchCcYLyNo
For months, work on the project stalled due to lack of funds.
In a social media post on January 31, Mr Ablakwa noted that “recent claims by government propagandists that work has resumed on Akufo-Addo’s scandalous US$450million cathedral are absolutely false.”
He indicated that latest drone footage captured a few minutes ago by SOA Oversight confirms that the “world’s most expensive pit remains abandoned.”
The drone footage was captured on Wednesday, January 31, 2024.
Fact-Check
Recent claims by government propagandists that work has resumed on Akufo-Addo’s scandalous US$450million cathedral are ABSOLUTELY FALSE.
Latest drone footage captured a few minutes ago by SOA Oversight confirms that the world’s most expensive pit remains abandoned. pic.twitter.com/ZwtXTigUXx
The construction of the National Cathedral is receiving financial support from the state, with collaboration from the Christian community. As of November 2022, the Finance Ministry disclosed that an amount of GH¢339,003,064.86 has been released for the project.
Additionally, GH¢113,040,654.86 has been paid to the consulting firm, Messers Sir David Adjaye and Associates, responsible for the cathedral’s construction. This information was provided to the parliamentary Adhoc Committee in response to a request for the total government expenditure on the National Cathedral.
In the course of his vetting by Parliament’s Appointments Committee on March 5, 2024, Minister designate for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Andrew Agyapa Mercer, voiced his support for the completion of the National Cathedral.
He highlighted the project’s potential to boost the country’s economic growth significantly. If approved, Mercer expressed his readiness to collaborate with Parliament to ensure the cathedral’s completion.
The Minister-designate emphasized Parliament‘s pivotal role in facilitating the project’s progress.
“Unfortunately, I do not know the details of the financing positions of today. But it’s obvious, I believe to all of us that the private contributions that were expected weren’t as forthcoming. I recall that in the 2023 budget, Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta requested some public funds to enable us to move the project to its conclusion, which was resisted by the House.
“But I will entreat [Parliament] to support the project because obviously some funding has gone in there. We cannot allow it to sit the way it’s sitting. And so, if I’m given the nod, I believe that if I have an opportunity to make a presentation to you [parliament]. I will urge the support of all, especially our colleagues on the minority side to support the completion of the project.
“I believe it will be a huge income generation for our country and will help in attracting visitors. If I have to present a budget for parliament for consideration, yes.”
He noted that the funds have ceased and stressed the need to finish the project to draw visitors.
“I sincerely believe that the National Cathedral was well intended. His Excellency the President took a position that it was something that needed to be done between the state and private faith-based organizations. And so, the state needed certain contributions. And the expectation was that the faith-based organizations were also going to make contributions to ensure that the facility was completed.”
Originally slated for completion in March 2024, the cathedral’s construction has faced delays.
During his appearance before the Appointments Committee of Parliament on Tuesday, March 5, Minister-designate for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Andrew Egyapa Mercer, emphasized the importance of completing the National Cathedral project, stating that it holds significant value for the nation.
Mr Mercer highlighted the substantial state investment already committed to the project and stressed the need to see it through to completion.
“While we may not have unlimited resources, substantial funding has been allocated to the project, and I believe it is imperative for its completion,” he said.
He rejected claims that the project was merely the “world’s most expensive hole,” arguing that such criticisms failed to acknowledge its broader national significance.
“It stands as a national asset in its current state and must be finalized, in my opinion,” he added.
Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has refused reports indicating that construction work on the National Cathedral project has resumed.
For months, work on the project stalled due to lack of funds. But a video recently shared on GHOneTV showed renewed construction progress, with the foundation of the cathedral now covered.
But in a social media post on January 31, Mr Ablakwa noted that “recent claims by government propagandists that work has resumed on Akufo-Addo’s scandalous US$450million cathedral are absolutely false.”
He indicated that latest drone footage captured a few minutes ago by SOA Oversight confirms that the “world’s most expensive pit remains abandoned.”
The drone footage was captured on Wednesday, January 31, 2024.
Fact-Check
Recent claims by government propagandists that work has resumed on Akufo-Addo’s scandalous US$450million cathedral are ABSOLUTELY FALSE.
Latest drone footage captured a few minutes ago by SOA Oversight confirms that the world’s most expensive pit remains abandoned. pic.twitter.com/ZwtXTigUXx
Conceived in 2017 and officially unveiled by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in 2018, the National Cathedral is an ambitious project with a 5,000-seat capacity.
The cathedral is designed to feature chapels, a baptistery, a music school, an art gallery, and a Bible museum. The initiative aims to create a lasting legacy for Ghana as it marks its 60th anniversary.
The construction of the National Cathedral is receiving financial support from the state, with collaboration from the Christian community. As of November 2022, the Finance Ministry disclosed that an amount of GH¢339,003,064.86 has been released for the project.
Additionally, GH¢113,040,654.86 has been paid to the consulting firm, Messers Sir David Adjaye and Associates, responsible for the cathedral’s construction. This information was provided to the parliamentary Adhoc Committee in response to a request for the total government expenditure on the National Cathedral.
The nominee for the position of Tourism Minister, Andrew Egyapa Mercer, has affirmed his dedication to securing funding for the completion of the National Cathedral project in Ghana.
Speaking before the Appointments Committee on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, Mr. Mercer, formerly Deputy Energy Minister, stressed the importance of finishing the National Cathedral.
He expressed concern about its current status, humorously referred to as ‘the world’s most expensive hole,’ and emphasized its significance as a national asset.
“It is our national asset that is in that state. It has to be completed, to my mind. So if you want a definitive answer that if I have the opportunity to request parliament to consider and approve a budget for the completion of the National Cathedral, then yes,” Mr. Mercer stated during his vetting.
Addressing resource allocation during his vetting, Mr. Mercer acknowledged the finite nature of resources but asserted that funding should be prioritized for completing the National Cathedral.
He expressed readiness to propose a budget specifically for this purpose, seeking approval from parliament.
“As we look at something like the Cathedral that has economic benefits beyond what we see…In Africa, we have some 600 million people who are Christians so imagine Ghana as the new Jerusalem and these 600 million people floating through with $3,000 to spend, it is a very different reality.”
The National Cathedral project, initiated by the government, has sparked debates and controversies due to its cost and use of state resources. In December 2023, former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta suggested reconsidering discussions on the cathedral’s construction, emphasizing its potential to drive economic growth.
Speaking at the Ghana Tourism Investment Summit 2023, Ofori-Atta highlighted the cathedral as a strategic investment to boost the nation’s tourism sector. He envisioned it becoming a pilgrimage destination for millions of Christians across Africa, contributing to substantial economic benefits for Ghana.
Ofori-Atta urged a more constructive approach to the ongoing debates, suggesting that the government carefully consider the cathedral’s potential contribution to Ghana’s economic development.
An ongoing audit of the National Cathedral, led by consulting, financial advisory, Deloitte, has exposed a disconcerting absence of internal controls and basic manuals, according tothe Vice President of Imani Afric, Bright Simons.
He alleged that the audit, which commenced a year ago, aimed to assess the financial and operational aspects of the prestigious National Cathedral project.
However, the findings reported by Mr Simons indicate a glaring lack of fundamental structures necessary for effective governance.
“Sources say that upon commencing an audit of Ghana’s National Cathedral, Deloitte was met with a shocking lack of internal controls & the absence of even basic manuals. It is now 1 year since the exercise began. Sources say the right opinion should be adverse, not even qualified,” he wrote.
Sources say that upon commencing an audit of Ghana's National Cathedral, Deloitte was met with a shocking lack of internal controls & the absence of even basic manuals. It is now 1 year since the exercise began. Sources say the right opinion should be adverse, not even qualified.
The National Cathedral project has faced controversies and opposition, with some arguing its relevance amid Ghana’s economic challenges.
Despite public opposition, President Akufo-Addo has consistently expressed his determination to proceed with the cathedral’s construction.
In response to recent issues surrounding the project, the Board of Trustees decided in January to subject it to a “normal statutory audit.”
A proposal from the Minority caucus suggested that the project and all related issues be investigated by a committee.
In that regard the audit firm, Deloitte, that registered the National Cathedral, was engaged to conduct the audit.
The committee was tasked with making appropriate recommendations for Parliament’s consideration. The Chairman of the Board, Apostle Prof. Opoku Onyinah, mentioned, “The Board is already in discussions to engage Deloitte, which accepted to be the auditors when the National Cathedral was registered, to commence the normal statutory audit”.
Meanwhile, the Secretary of the Board of Trustees, Rev. Kusi Boateng, has been accused by Okudzeto Ablakwa of having multiple identities and receiving 2.6 million cedis without performing any work.
Member of Parliament for the North Tongu constituency in the Volta region,Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, is reminding President Nana Addo Danquah Akufo Addo of his pledge to commission the National Cathedral on March 6, 2024.
As we approach the specified date, Ablakwa notes with concern that the project remains abandoned, despite the President’s assurances. He attributes this delay to what he describes as a significant diversion of resources.
Ablakwa highlights the government’s initial commitment to not utilise taxpayer funds for the project, yet reveals that approximately GHC 339 million of taxpayer money has been expended on it.
“They said that this would be a private initiative led by the churches and the president’s personal donations, only for a discovery to be made by me,” he said.
Ablakwa mentioned specific individuals whom he alleges diverted a significant amount of funds allocated for the project.
He commended the clergy members who resigned from the cathedral board, stating that their early departure indicated a wise recognition of the situation.
A drone footage taken by SOA Oversight indicates that construction work on the National Cathedral project remains abandoned.
This counters earlier reports that construction has resumed on the National Cathedral after a pause prompted by financial difficulties, board resignations, and other challenges.
In a post on X platform, Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, noted that “recent claims by government propagandists that work has resumed on Akufo-Addo’s scandalous US$450million cathedral are absolutely false.”
He indicated that latest drone footage captured a few minutes ago by SOA Oversight confirms that the “world’s most expensive pit remains abandoned.”
The drone footage was captured on Wednesday, January 31, 2024.
Check out the footage taken by SOA Oversight.
Fact-Check
Recent claims by government propagandists that work has resumed on Akufo-Addo’s scandalous US$450million cathedral are ABSOLUTELY FALSE.
Latest drone footage captured a few minutes ago by SOA Oversight confirms that the world’s most expensive pit remains abandoned. pic.twitter.com/ZwtXTigUXx
Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has refused reports indicating that construction work on the National Cathedral project has resumed.
Last week, there were reports that construction has resumed on the National Cathedral after a pause prompted by financial difficulties, board resignations, and other challenges.
For months, work on the project stalled due to lack of funds. But a video recently shared on GHOneTV showed renewed construction progress, with the foundation of the cathedral now covered.
But in a social media post on January 31, Mr Ablakwa noted that “recent claims by government propagandists that work has resumed on Akufo-Addo’s scandalous US$450million cathedral are absolutely false.”
He indicated that latest drone footage captured a few minutes ago by SOA Oversight confirms that the “world’s most expensive pit remains abandoned.”
The drone footage was captured on Wednesday, January 31, 2024.
Fact-Check
Recent claims by government propagandists that work has resumed on Akufo-Addo’s scandalous US$450million cathedral are ABSOLUTELY FALSE.
Latest drone footage captured a few minutes ago by SOA Oversight confirms that the world’s most expensive pit remains abandoned. pic.twitter.com/ZwtXTigUXx
Conceived in 2017 and officially unveiled by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in 2018, the National Cathedral is an ambitious project with a 5,000-seat capacity.
The cathedral is designed to feature chapels, a baptistery, a music school, an art gallery, and a Bible museum. The initiative aims to create a lasting legacy for Ghana as it marks its 60th anniversary.
The construction of the National Cathedral is receiving financial support from the state, with collaboration from the Christian community. As of November 2022, the Finance Ministry disclosed that an amount of GH¢339,003,064.86 has been released for the project.
Additionally, GH¢113,040,654.86 has been paid to the consulting firm, Messers Sir David Adjaye and Associates, responsible for the cathedral’s construction. This information was provided to the parliamentary Adhoc Committee in response to a request for the total government expenditure on the National Cathedral.
Construction has resumed on the National Cathedral after a pause prompted by financial difficulties, board resignations, and other challenges. The 14.5-acre site near Ghana’s Parliament House has witnessed various activities, including the demolition of buildings and tree removal.
The initial phase involved the installation of a fence displaying an artist’s impression of the cathedral. Despite setbacks in 2023, a video shared on GHOneTV shows renewed construction progress, with the foundation of the cathedral now covered.
Construction has resumed on the National Cathedral after a pause prompted by financial difficulties, board resignations, and other challenges. The 14.5-acre site near Ghana’s Parliament House has witnessed various activities, including the demolition of buildings and tree removal.
The initial phase involved the installation of a fence displaying an artist’s impression of the cathedral. Despite setbacks in 2023, a video shared on GHOneTV shows renewed construction progress, with the foundation of the cathedral now covered.
The interdenominational Christian church is intended to embody national unity, harmony, and spirituality.
Conceived in 2017 and unveiled by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in 2018, the cathedral, boasting a 5,000-seat capacity, will include chapels, a baptistery, a music school, an art gallery, and a Bible museum.
This ambitious project aims to establish a lasting legacy for Ghana as it commemorates its 60th anniversary.
Construction on theNational Cathedral has recommenced following a prolonged suspension of several months.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo initiated the project in 2017, envisioning it as a symbol of national unity and spirituality, with a targeted completion date set for 2024.
However, challenges such as insufficient funds, resignations from board of trustees members, and revelations by Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, led to the project’s halt in 2023.
A video shared by GHOne on X has now revealed the resumption of construction activities at the site.
Notably, the footage shows the foundation of the cathedral covered, with heavy trucks actively operating on the premises.
Former Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, insists that President Akufo-Addo should terminate the National Cathedral project to conserve the nation’s finances.
He believes that discontinuing the project would demonstrate the government’s acknowledgment of the necessity to halt unfeasible initiatives.
Dr Spio-Garbrah expressed this opinion during an upcoming interview with TV3’s Keminni Amanor when questioned about the government’s target to achieve single-digit inflation by the end of the year.
He emphasized that canceling the National Cathedral project openly would indicate the government’s commitment to a practical approach, canceling projects deemed implausible under the current administration.
“If the president tells us that before he leaves office, he will never fly again in 18,000 dollar an hour plane, he hasn’t made that commitment, he should make it.
“Have you heard that the National Cathedral project has been canceled? If you hear that the National Cathedral project has been canceled then it means that the government is getting into a sensible environment and canceling projects that they know will never happen this year under this government. So cancel it openly and let us know it is canceled.”
“The 24-hour economy I proposed is for jobs and more jobs,” the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) stressed.
“Over 54 per of Ghanaians believe that the 24-hour economy is the highest or the most remembered slogan or policy initiative of all the policy initiatives any political party is talking about today.”
When asked about the Finance Ministry’s projection of the country ending the year with single-digit inflation, Dr Spio-Garbrah urged President Akufo-Addo to make clear commitments, drawing a parallel with the hypothetical cancellation of the expensive National Cathedral project.
Regarding former President John Dramani Mahama’s ’24-hour Economy’ proposal, Dr Spio-Garbrah supported the idea, stating that 54 percent of Ghanaians consider it the most memorable policy slogan among political parties.
He believes that implementing the 24-hour economy concept would stimulate the local economy and generate employment opportunities.
Mahama introduced the ’24hr Economy‘ project during discussions with the Trades Union Congress in November 2023, emphasizing its potential to create jobs for all Ghanaians. Dr Spio-Garbrah asserted that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) needs to promote this idea more effectively, as a significant portion of the population already views it as a standout policy initiative.
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, has alleged that President Akufo-Addo began the infamous projects; National Cathedral and Bank of Ghana Head Office, in 2020 to enable him to siphon funds should he lose the 2020 elections.
Mr Ablakwa has made public documents shedding light on the government’s “wasteful” spending patterns during the 2020 election year.
Among projects that saw huge sums of money being spent on were the National Cathedral, that cost US$450million and the Central Bank Head Office, at the cost of US$222.7million.
According to Mr Ablakwa, he does not believe in sheer coincidence after finding faults in the procurement processes of the government’s projects.
“It is most instructive to note that payments for other infamous wasteful Akufo-Addo-legacy projects such as the US$450million National Cathedral fiasco and the US$222.7million BoG Head Office all commenced during the electioneering campaign of 2020,” he added.
The construction of the National Cathedral and the Central Bank Head Office has met stern reactions from a section of the public who believe the government’s expenditure priorities are misplaced.
On January 17, Mr. Ablakwa shared a document from the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) detailing the procurement process for the construction of a 50-bed guest house in Tamale.
The document indicated that approval was granted to the Bank of Ghana to employ single sourcing, engaging Messrs De-Simone Limited for the final works on the project at a cost of GHC139 million.
Mr. Ablakwa raised concerns about what he perceives as an unhealthy inclination toward restricting tendering by the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Ernest Addison.
“The fresh documents in my possession show that Dr. Addison appears to have a hooliganistic appetite for single-source and restricted tendering so much so that NONE of the procurements under his watch have been competitive,” Mr Ablakwa wrote.
He added, “The venerable Togbe Afede XIV was obviously right when he wrote in his latest op-ed that the BoG has failed us.”
He recalled the times when President Akufo-Addo during his time in opposition condemned “single source procurements and argued that it was a veritable conduit for corruption.”
“Without principle and scruples, they are now the all-time champions of grand single source procurements,” he added.
Meanwhile, Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa has told Ghanaians to be alert and monitor the undertakings of the incumbent government led by President Akufo-Addo this year as the country nears the polls.
Mr Ablakwa noted that President Akufo-Addo is planning a “lootocratic” scheme through single-source procurement regime just as he reportedly did four years ago.
“The Akufo-Addo/Bawumia single-source-procurement-regime will be planning similar “lootocratic” schemes,” he warned.
Founder and President of World Wide Miracle, Rev. Dr. Lawrence Tetteh, has reconsidered his support for the National Cathedral project, expressing reservations after learning of corruption allegations and the resignation of senior clergymen from the board.
Mr Tetteh, once excited about the project, now deems it unwise to proceed, citing discomfort among his colleagues.
“I was very excited about it initially but having heard some of the things, if my colleagues there are very uncomfortable I think I will be very unwise to want it done,” he told TV3’s Keminni Amanor on Sunday December 31 edition of Hot Issues.
Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams and Rev. Eastwood Anaba, prominent clergymen, resigned due to the government’s failure to appoint an independent accounting firm to audit funds allocated to the National Cathedral.
Their resignation statement emphasized the absence of a crucial audit to restore public confidence, leading to their conscientious withdrawal from the Board of Trustees.
“Despite our prayers, best hopes and wishes, unfortunately, a needed audit to help restore public confidence and trust in this consequential project has not been enacted to the best of our knowledge. Since January 2023, we awaited news to no avail, regarding the finding of the audit.
“We, therefore, regret that as a matter of conscience and faith, we hereby submit to you our resignation from the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral, ” portions of the statement said.
In January 2023, Duncan-Williams and Anaba advocated for a temporary halt to the cathedral’s construction until an audit could be conducted.
They emphasized the challenging economic climate in Ghana, proposing transparency through an independent audit by a nationally recognized accounting firm.
Responding to the resignations, Dr. Paul Opoku-Mensah, Executive Director of the National Cathedral Project, clarified that both clergymen were aware of the engagement with Deloitte for the audit.
He highlighted their participation in meetings, press releases, and updates on the audit process, debunking claims of insufficient information.
Opoku-Mensah also revealed the rejection of the clergymen’s resolution by the Board, citing redundancy and undue politicization linked to the 2024 elections.
Despite attempts to politicize the project, the Secretariat reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and collaboration with auditors to complete the work.
The Vice President of policy think tank, IMANI-Africa, Bright Simons, claims that government has decided to spend an amount ranging from $500 million to $1 billion on the construction of the National Cathedral project.
He made this assertion in an X post on December 5, when sharing his views on Ghana receiving clearance from its creditors for an external debt restructuring. He noted that Ghana’s external creditors,, such as China may not grant the country approval to restructure its debt due to the amount being spent on the National Cathedral project.
“I’m beginning to get the feeling that when creditors see that Ghana is hell bent on spending $500m to a $1 billion to turn its capital into a “New Jerusalem”, they feel emboldened to play hardball. It’s like, “these people got dough, but they wanna play us,” Mr Simons wrote.
I'm beginning to get the feeling that when creditors see that Ghana is hell bent on spending $500m to a $1 billion to turn its capital into a "New Jerusalem", they feel emboldened to play hardball. It's like, "these people got dough, but they wanna play us." pic.twitter.com/DO4470odUg
Ghana’s Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, has called for a strategic reassessment of the current discussions on the construction of the National Cathedral, emphasizing its potential as a significant driver of economic growth.
During the Ghana Tourism Investment Summit 2023, Ofori-Atta pointed out the cathedral’s role as a robust infrastructure that could greatly enhance the tourism sector.
He envisioned the cathedral becoming a pilgrimage destination for millions of Christians across Africa, potentially attracting visitors with an average spending of $3,000 each, translating into substantial economic benefits for the country.
“As we look at something like the Cathedral that has economic benefits beyond what we see…In Africa, we have some 600 million people who are Christians so imagine Ghana as the new Jerusalem and these 600 million people floating through with $3,000 to spend, it is a very different reality.”
Despite the ongoing debates and controversies surrounding the cathedral project, Ofori-Atta urged a more constructive approach, suggesting that the government should carefully consider the cathedral’s potential to contribute to Ghana’s economic development.
“Even as we contend with it and fight about it, let’s think of this triangle and find a reason why we should also add that as part of the infrastructure base as we build a society with a strong, resilient, and robust future,” he emphasized.
The Finance Minister also reiterated the government’s commitment to transforming the tourism and arts industry, recognizing its immense economic potential for driving growth and generating employment opportunities.
He acknowledged the multiplying impact of the tourism sector, emphasizing its ability to positively influence other industries and enhance overall economic well-being.
National Cathedral
Conceived as a physical embodiment of unity, harmony and spirituality, the Ghana National Cathedral will be the nation’s ceremonial landmark, Ghana’s mother Church, where all denominations are welcomed to gather, worship and celebrate in spiritual accord.
The National Cathedral will serve as a venue for formal state occasions of a religious nature such as Presidential Inaugural Services, State Funerals, and National Thanksgiving Services, amongst others.
The cathedral will include; 5,000 permanent seat auditorium,which expands to 15,000 seats, Baptistery Chapel, Conference Center, Grand Ballroom and Restaurant, Music and Choir Areas, National Crypt and Chapels.
Not all Ghanaians are enthused about the construction of the cathedral amidst an ailing economy. They want government to focus such resources on more productive sectors of the economy which would provide more jobs to address the unemployment rate in the country.
So far, millions of dollars have been spent on the construction of the cathedral which has currently stalled due to lack of funds.
The Vice President of policy think tank, IMANI-Africa, Bright Simons, has stated that Ghana’s external creditors, such as China may not grant the country approval to restructure its debt due to the amount being spent on the National Cathedral project.
He claimed that government has decided to spend an amount ranging from $500 million to $1 billion on the construction of the National Cathedral project.
He made this assertion in an X post on December 5, when sharing his views on Ghana receiving clearance from its creditors for an external debt restructuring.
“I’m beginning to get the feeling that when creditors see that Ghana is hell bent on spending $500m to a $1 billion to turn its capital into a “New Jerusalem”, they feel emboldened to play hardball. It’s like, “these people got dough, but they wanna play us,” Mr Simons wrote.
I'm beginning to get the feeling that when creditors see that Ghana is hell bent on spending $500m to a $1 billion to turn its capital into a "New Jerusalem", they feel emboldened to play hardball. It's like, "these people got dough, but they wanna play us." pic.twitter.com/DO4470odUg
Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta said last Thursday that he was confident the country would reach a restructuring deal with its official creditors by the end of this week.
The “cut-off date” – the date after which new loans will not be restructured – and the comparability of treatment between creditors are the major outstanding issues, Ofori-Atta told reporters, adding that any cut-off date would be fine for Ghana.
No single creditor, whose committee is co-chaired by China and France, is holding up the debt restructuring, with all concerned about their own interests, he said.
Ghana defaulted on most of its external debts in December 2022, after it was locked out of international capital markets and its debt costs spiralled out of control, exacerbating an economic crisis in which its currency slid and inflation soared.
Also, Ken Ofori-Atta has called for a strategic reassessment of the current discussions on the construction of the National Cathedral, emphasizing its potential as a significant driver of economic growth.
During the Ghana Tourism Investment Summit 2023, Ofori-Atta pointed out the cathedral’s role as a robust infrastructure that could greatly enhance the tourism sector.
He envisioned the cathedral becoming a pilgrimage destination for millions of Christians across Africa, potentially attracting visitors with an average spending of $3,000 each, translating into substantial economic benefits for the country.
“As we look at something like the Cathedral that has economic benefits beyond what we see…In Africa, we have some 600 million people who are Christians so imagine Ghana as the new Jerusalem and these 600 million people floating through with $3,000 to spend, it is a very different reality.”
Despite the ongoing debates and controversies surrounding the cathedral project, Ofori-Atta urged a more constructive approach, suggesting that the government should carefully consider the cathedral’s potential to contribute to Ghana’s economic development.
“Even as we contend with it and fight about it, let’s think of this triangle and find a reason why we should also add that as part of the infrastructure base as we build a society with a strong, resilient, and robust future,” he emphasized.
The Finance Minister also reiterated the government’s commitment to transforming the tourism and arts industry, recognizing its immense economic potential for driving growth and generating employment opportunities.
He acknowledged the multiplying impact of the tourism sector, emphasizing its ability to positively influence other industries and enhance overall economic well-being.
National Cathedral
Conceived as a physical embodiment of unity, harmony and spirituality, the Ghana National Cathedral will be the nation’s ceremonial landmark, Ghana’s mother Church, where all denominations are welcomed to gather, worship and celebrate in spiritual accord.
The National Cathedral will serve as a venue for formal state occasions of a religious nature such as Presidential Inaugural Services, State Funerals, and National Thanksgiving Services, amongst others.
The cathedral will include; 5,000 permanent seat auditorium,which expands to 15,000 seats, Baptistery Chapel, Conference Center, Grand Ballroom and Restaurant, Music and Choir Areas, National Crypt and Chapels.
Not all Ghanaians are enthused about the construction of the cathedral amidst an ailing economy. They want government to focus such resources on more productive sectors of the economy which would provide more jobs to address the unemployment rate in the country.
So far, millions of dollars have been spent on the construction of the cathedral which has currently stalled due to lack of funds.
Ghana’s Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, has called for a strategic reassessment of the current discussions on the construction of the National Cathedral, emphasizing its potential as a significant driver of economic growth.
During the Ghana Tourism Investment Summit 2023, Ofori-Atta pointed out the cathedral’s role as a robust infrastructure that could greatly enhance the tourism sector.
He envisioned the cathedral becoming a pilgrimage destination for millions of Christians across Africa, potentially attracting visitors with an average spending of $3,000 each, translating into substantial economic benefits for the country.
“As we look at something like the Cathedral that has economic benefits beyond what we see…In Africa, we have some 600 million people who are Christians so imagine Ghana as the new Jerusalem and these 600 million people floating through with $3,000 to spend, it is a very different reality.”
Despite the ongoing debates and controversies surrounding the cathedral project, Ofori-Atta urged a more constructive approach, suggesting that the government should carefully consider the cathedral’s potential to contribute to Ghana’s economic development.
“Even as we contend with it and fight about it, let’s think of this triangle and find a reason why we should also add that as part of the infrastructure base as we build a society with a strong, resilient, and robust future,” he emphasized.
The Finance Minister also reiterated the government’s commitment to transforming the tourism and arts industry, recognizing its immense economic potential for driving growth and generating employment opportunities.
He acknowledged the multiplying impact of the tourism sector, emphasizing its ability to positively influence other industries and enhance overall economic well-being.
National Cathedral
Conceived as a physical embodiment of unity, harmony and spirituality, the Ghana National Cathedral will be the nation’s ceremonial landmark, Ghana’s mother Church, where all denominations are welcomed to gather, worship and celebrate in spiritual accord.
The National Cathedral will serve as a venue for formal state occasions of a religious nature such as Presidential Inaugural Services, State Funerals, and National Thanksgiving Services, amongst others.
The cathedral will include; 5,000 permanent seat auditorium,which expands to 15,000 seats, Baptistery Chapel, Conference Center, Grand Ballroom and Restaurant, Music and Choir Areas, National Crypt and Chapels.
Not all Ghanaians are enthused about the construction of the cathedral amidst an ailing economy. They want government to focus such resources on more productive sectors of the economy which would provide more jobs to address the unemployment rate in the country.
So far, millions of dollars have been spent on the construction of the cathedral which has currently stalled due to lack of funds.
Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has revealed that the two top clergymen, Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams and Rev. Eastwood Anaba, who recently resigned from the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral, served on the board for free.
Speaking in an interview on Starr FM on November 16, 2023, Mr Ablakwa emphasized that both pastors joined the board with sincere intentions and without any ulterior motives.
He stated that he personally spoke to the pastors, and Rev. Eastwood Anaba admitted that they should have heeded his earlier warnings against the controversial National Cathedral project.
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, North Tongu MP
“Yes, I have spoken to all of them. Rev. Eastwood Anaba is my pastor, so we talk always, and I can’t lie about this. He said, ‘Young man, we should have listened to you earlier. You saw things that we saw later’,” he said.
He added, “And to be fair to them, to be honest to them, they went into this with a very pure heart, I know and I can confirm to you today that these two Rev. Eastwood Anaba and Archbishop Duncan-Williams never took an allowance. So, sometimes when I see people say that they should also refund the money and that, they are not been fair to them I have the records.”
The two pastors, Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams and Rev. Eastwood Anaba, resigned from their positions as members of the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral.
In a joint statement addressed to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the clergymen cited growing concerns about transparency and accountability within the National Cathedral project as the reason for their resignation.
“Despite our prayers, best hopes and wishes, unfortunately, a needed audit to help restore public confidence and trust in this consequential project has not been enacted to the best of our knowledge. Since January 2023, we have awaited news, to no avail, regarding the findings of the audit. We, therefore, regret that as a matter of conscience and faith, we hereby submit to you our resignation from the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral,” the statement said.
The pastors emphasized that their decision to resign should not be interpreted as a challenge to the vision or intent of the National Cathedral project.
“We honourably assure you, as we assured the Board of Trustees in January 2023, with the submission of our resignation, that our action in no way impugns the vision or intent of the National Cathedral, but rather ensures that it is advanced and built on a foundation of integrity, efficiency and quality while gaming and maintaining public trust and support, We truly owe this to God and to country,” the statement added.
The National Cathedral, the religious monument that was intended to be a catalyst for national and regional cohesion, has come under several criticisms since its start, especially at a time when the country is facing its worst economic crisis in decades.
The most outstanding of it all is the controversy, accusations of monetary embezzlement and lack of transparency in the implementation of the project.
In response to this, Executive Director for the National Cathedral Secretariat, Dr. Paul Opoku Mensah,on November 23, 2023, during a press conference where he spoke on fund raising and accountability of the National Cathedral, refuted all claims of criminality and claims of the trustee shying away from all forms of auditing due to potential corruption incidents.
Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) has been investigating the project, according to the executive director, an exercise in which they have fully cooperated since its start in January 2023.
“So the notion that we are running away from accountability is simply false.In fact, since January, CHRAJ has been involved in detailed investigations and we’ve been cooperating”, he said.
Dr Paul insists that the finances of the Cathedral project are currently being audited by two prominent firms, the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) and Deloitte.
“At the moment, there are two ongoing audits that seem to look into issues of accountability, namely
“An investigation by CHRAJ into issues of conflict of interest and procurement and a financial audit by deloitte
“Where the last information I saw was a questionnaire to the contractors about how they came to be selected. So everything is being detailed,” he stated.
“So there’s a detailed audit, Deloitte extensive information; in fact, the last info they wanted was anybody who has contributed to the National Cathedral. They wanted details to be sure that there’s not been any fishy, he added.
Given all the details of the auditing the project has been subjected to, Dr Paul mentioned that “there is no criminality in this project” as his outfit has executed the project with integrity and transparency.
“There is the idea that a project of this nature wouldn’t want to be held accountable; I can’t understand or cannot fathom it but with this audit notwithstanding , I want to state that there is no criminality in this project.
“We have implemented the project with integrity and are accountable for all the funds (sic) from the state to the National Cathedral project”.
Executive Director for the National Cathedral Secretariat, Dr. Paul Opoku Mensah, has indicated that there are divided opinions among members of the Board of Trustees with regards to the source of funding for the National Cathedral Project.
Dr. Paul Opoku Mensah, while engaging the press today, November 1, noted that four suggestions have been put out on the source of funding. They are; allowing the state to fund the project, no funds from the state, acquiring a loan, and only fundraising.
According to Dr. Paul Opoku Mensah, members of the Board of Trustees are bent on resigning should their proposal be sidelined.
“To give you one scenario, fund-raising, there are four opinions on this. Namely, let the state fund it, no state funding, loan and no loan, only fundraising.
“All of these are entrenched positions, with their proponents threatening to resign if their positions are not adopted. So one group says the church has done enough for the country. The state should build this project with state funds, and there are board members who agree that the church has contributed enough before independence and after independence.
“There are others who are saying absolutely not. The state should not have in it at all. If the state provides more money, they are going to resign. I’m talking about the same thing with different opinions. There is one who says there is no way you can raise money to build this. We will go for a loan and later repay it. Some will say, when God called them to Ministries, he told them never to rake loans and so if this project takes loans, they are going to resign,” he revealed.
Dr. Paul Opoku Mensah did not disclose which member of the board subscribes to the four proposals he listed.
The members of the Board include Apostle Prof. Opoku Onyinah, former Chairman of the Church of Pentecost – Chairperson, Most Rev. Charles Palmer Buckle, Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra – Vice-Chairperson, Most Rev. Bishop Justice Ofei Akrofi, Anglican Archbishop Emeritus – Member, Rt. Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Martey, former Moderator of the Presbyterian Church – Member, Most Rev T. K. Awotwi Pratt, Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church – Member, Rev Dr Joyce Aryee, Executive Director, Salt and Light Ministries – Member, Rev Victor Kusi-Boateng, Founder of Power Chapel Worldwide – Member/Secretary, Rev Dr Frimpong Manso, General Superintendent, Assemblies of God – Member and Kingsley Ofosu Ntiamoah, Executive Director, Ghana Museums and Monuments Board.
Currently, the state is providing financial assistance for the construction of the state-owned project. Also, the Christian community is partnering with the state to build the project.
In November 2022, the Finance Ministry revealed that an amount of GH¢339,003,064.86 has been released for the construction of the National Cathedral so far.
The Ministry also added that a total amount of GH¢113,040,654.86 has been paid to the consulting firm for the construction of the cathedral, Messers Sir David Adjaye and Associates.
This was contained in a document from the Ministry to the parliamentary Adhoc Committee based on a request for the total amount spent by the government on the National Cathedral.
As of June 2022, major donors to the project include the Church of Pentecost, which has donated a total of GH¢700,000 through the Church of Pentecost Headquarters (GH¢200,000), and the Church of Pentecost (General Headquarters) which has contributed GH¢500,000, making it the single largest donor.
Other major donors are the Southern Ghana Union of SDA, the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, and Action Chapel International, which have contributed GH¢200,000 each.
The Methodist Church Ghana, Triumphant Baptist Church-Kwadaso, Christ Apostolic Church International, the Breaking Yoke Ministry Church, and the Christian Action Faith Ministry have also donated GH¢100,000 each.
Members of Board of Trustees threatening to resign over source of funding for National Cathedral project – Secretariat
Via: Joy News #INDNews Kennedy Agyapong | Mohammed Kudus | Thomas Partey | Black Stars | Sarkodie | Hearts of Oak pic.twitter.com/WXUbc6DzZF
The National Cathedral Secretariat has initiated an extensive investigation into potential conflict of interest and procurement irregularities related to the construction of the National Cathedral.
The Secretariat has enlisted the services of two reputable audit firms, the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) and a financial advisory company, Deloitte, to undertake this accountability-driven endeavor.
The Executive Director of the Secretariat, Dr. Paul Opoku-Mensah, made this announcement during a media engagement on Wednesday, November 1, 2023.
“At the moment there are two ongoing audits of the National Cathedral project that seeks to look into issues of accountability namely, an investigation by CHRAJ into issues of conflict of interest and procurement and a financial audit by Deloitte. So the notion somehow that we are running away from accountability is simply false,” he stated.
He emphasized the Secretariat’s unwavering commitment to transparency and accountability, dispelling any misconceptions about evading responsibility.
“Since January CHRAJ has been involved in detailed investigations, we have been cooperating,for the last information I saw from CHRAJ it was a questionnaire to the contractors about how they were selected. Everything is being detailed… We are committed to ensuring that the process takes the time it needs so that we will restore the confidence in this project,” he added.
According to him, the Secretariat is dedicated to ensuring a thorough and credible process is intended to rebuild trust and confidence in the National Cathedral project.
Earlier this year, CHRAJ dismissed a preliminary objection raised against its jurisdiction to investigate procurement breaches related to the construction of the National Cathedral of Ghana.
Subsequently, CHRAJ resumed its investigations into a petition submitted by Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, concerning the alleged procurement breaches.
Mr Ablakwa’s petition had called for an inquiry into three issues: purported procurement irregularities in contractor selection, the payment of GHS2,600,000.00 from state resources to JNS Talent Centre Limited, and allegations of a conflict of interest involving Rev. Victor Kusi-Boateng.
Respondents, including the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori Atta, Apostle Prof Opoku Onyinah, and Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng, had initially objected to CHRAJ’s jurisdiction in the matter.
The Minister of Finance argued that the government’s alleged breach of its commitment to fund the construction and maintenance of the cathedral with contributions from private entities and non-governmental organizations was a political issue outside the commission’s jurisdiction.
We are looking into conflict of interest claims and procurement – National Cathedral Secretariat #INDViral Thomas Partey #MaxTV Asamoah Gyan | R2bees #KONEKTALBUM Bawumia | Shatta | Dbee | Mepe pic.twitter.com/v7lddEcVgt
The National Cathedral Secretariat has refuted claims suggesting that it is illegitimate for the government to spend taxpayers’ money on the national cathedral project.
Engaging the press today to update the public on the status of the project, Executive Director for the National Cathedral Secretariat, Dr. Paul Opoku Mensah, noted that the project is state-owned, hence any funds from the government to support its development are lawful.
According to him, Parliament had been briefed by the Minister of Finance on government’s financial commitment to the project as far back as 2018.
“One of the current complaints is that the state was not to put in any money for the national cathedral project. This is not true, as the national cathedral project was conceived as a partnership between the state and the Ghanaian Christian community. The expected role of the state was communicated to Parliament in November 2018,” he said.
Dr. Paul Opoku Mensah added, “As part of the budget statement read in Parliament on November 15, 2018, the Minister for Finance indicated that the state role in the national cathedral project will be ‘providing the land, Secretariat and seed money for the preparatory phase. Subsequent budgets have used to update Parliament on the development of the project.”
He stressed “the Attorney-General’s opinion of January 6 to confirm the National Cathedral as a state-owned rather than a personal project, and so legitimate to receive state funds.”
All these documents have been submitted to Parliament, he iterated, while announcing the Secretariat’s willingness to present them to the political parties outside Parliament, “who once again are critical mediating actors for us.”
In November 2022, the Finance Ministry revealed that an amount of ¢339,003,064.86 has been released for the construction of the National Cathedral so far.
The Ministry also added that a total amount of ¢113,040,654.86 has been paid to the consulting firm for the construction of the Cathedral, Messers Sir David Adjaye and Associates.
This was contained in a document from the Ministry to the parliamentary Adhoc Committee based on a request for the total amount spent by the Government on the National Cathedral.
It is not unlawful for govt to spend on National Cathedral project – Secretariat
Via: Joy News #INDNews Kennedy Agyapong | Mohammed Kudus | Thomas Partey | Black Stars | Sarkodie | Hearts of Oak pic.twitter.com/QAJHOb26dp
The Executive Director of the National Cathedral Secretariat, Dr. Paul Opoku-Mensah, has revealed that a report concerning the design work for the National Cathedral has been formally presented to Parliament.
He indicated that this development is a significant step towards enhancing transparency and accountability in the National Cathedral project.
Addressing the media on Wednesday November 1, 2023, he explained that the design work contains reports for the Cathedral, the Bible museum, and the biblical gardens.
“In addition to all that I have said, the design, the report of the design work of the Cathedral, the bible museum and the biblical gardens have also been submitted to Parliament. We are not saying this and keeping this to ourselves, they have been submitted and are with Parliament,” he added.
Furthermore, he shared that the Secretariat has received the first religious statue for the museum and gardens, which will be unveiled to the public once it is cleared from the port.
“I am happy to report that our first religious statue for the museum and the gardens have just been shipped to us from the Abba Anointing Company in Houston Texas, when we take them from the harbor we will make it public,” he stated.
The Executive Director revealed that his outfit has initiated fundraising efforts and are engaging with potential contributors who can provide valuable historical artifacts for the project, underlining the importance of these artifacts to elevate the National Cathedral to a world-class site.
“In addition to fund raising we are already engaging with those who can actually give us artifact because if we want to turn this into a world class site, you need historical artefacts and those you can’t buy you negotiate, some will give them to you as gifts or as permanent exhibitions. Those processes are ongoing on daily basis.
He also stated that the project has not been suspended contrary to widespread claims.
According to him, although construction work on the National Cathedral has stalled temporarily, however, it has not been suspended entirely.
“I want to stress that, there have been issues that the project has been suspended; it hasn’t. The construction has stalled but the National Cathedral is almost an institution; it’s going to be one of the largest institutions. So, the work continues on a daily basis,” he said.
Report on design work of national cathedral have been submitted to Parliament – Secretariat #INDViral Thomas Partey #MaxTV Asamoah Gyan | R2bees #KONEKTALBUM Bawumia | Shatta | Dbee | Mepe pic.twitter.com/inGqTlhygu
The National Cathedral project has not been suspended contrary to widespread claims.
This was disclosed by the Executive Director of the National Cathedral Secretariat, Dr. Paul Opoku-Mensah while addressing the media on Wednesday, November 1 2023.
According to him, although construction work on the National Cathedral has stalled temporarily, however, it has not been suspended entirely.
“I want to stress that, there have been issues that the project has been suspended; it hasn’t. The construction has stalled but the National Cathedral is almost an institution; it’s going to be one of the largest institutions. So, the work continues on a daily basis,” he said.
The National Cathedral, envisioned as a symbol of unity and pride for Ghanaians and a place of national worship, has been under public scrutiny ever since it was initiated.
Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has been advocating for financial and corporate scrutiny of the project.
He has further disclosed that work on the project had come to a halt.
This observation was substantiated by media organizations that conducted site visits and confirmed the absence of ongoing work.
On Tuesday, August 30, the Executive Director of the project, Dr. Paul Opoku-Mensah, officially confirmed the suspension of work, despite the continued presence of contractors and their staff at the construction site.
“We have the contractors and their staff on site, but the work has been suspended. We are hoping that within the next couple of weeks, as part of our fundraising and other initiatives we can begin work again… our ability to complete this work keenly depends on Ghanaians supporting it,” he told a delegation that had come to donate towards the project.
He encouraged the Christian community to intensify their support for the project, emphasizing that this was the most reliable means to generate the necessary funds for its completion.
“The money might be big in terms of volume but if indeed we have 21 million Christians and a million can give us GH₵100 a month for a year, we can easily complete this in time.
“I refuse to believe that we can’t get a million Ghanaians out of the 21 million Christians to support this. I still have faith in the Ghanaian and I am confident that we will do this,” he added.
In the meantime, Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams and Reverend Eastwood Anaba, who were members of the Board of Trustees overseeing the National Cathedral project, submitted their resignations.
They cited the government’s failure to appoint an independent accounting firm to audit the public funds contributed to the project as the reason for their resignation.
They expressed regret that the needed audit had not been conducted to restore public confidence and trust in the project.
“Despite our prayers, best hopes and wishes, unfortunately, a needed audit to help restore public confidence and trust in this consequential project has not been enacted to the best of our knowledge. Since January 2023, we awaited news to no avail, regarding the finding of the audit.
“We, therefore, regret that as a matter of conscience and faith, we hereby submit to you our resignation from the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral.”
The Executive Director for the National Cathedral Secretariat, Dr. Paul Opoku Mensah, has announced the arrival of some live-biblical-sized statues meant for the National Cathedral project.
According to Dr. Paul Opoku Mensah, these artifacts are currently at the Tema Port, and the Secretariat is working to redeem them.
He made this known on November 1, when the Secretariat and Board of Trustees held a press conference to provide the public with fresh details on the current status of the National Cathedral Project.
“Our first set of statues, religious statues for the museum and gardens has just been shipped to us from the Abba Anointing Company in Houston, Texas. When we take them from the harbour, we will also bring the media to see,” he said.
Dr. Paul Opoku Mensah made it known that the Secretariat is on a daily basis engaging stakeholders who can provide artifacts to turn the National Cathedral project into a world-class site.
“We are already engaging those who can give us artifacts because if you want to turn this into a world-class site, you need historical artifacts and those you can’t buy these things. So you negotiate it. Some will give it to you as gift or permanent exhibition,” he added.
Live-biblical-sized statues for National Cathedral currently at Tema Port – Secretariat
Via: Joy News #INDNews Kennedy Agyapong | Mohammed Kudus | Thomas Partey | Black Stars | Sarkodie | Hearts of Oak pic.twitter.com/ryDoUPEMan
The National Cathedral Secretariat held a press conference to provide the public with fresh details on the current status of the National Cathedral Project.
The Executive Director, Dr. Paul Opoku Mensah, moderated the presser.
Presently, the project has come to a standstill due to lack of funds. The Secretariat had planned to import iron rods for the next phase of the project, but that has not been possible due to financial constraints.
Recently, the Founder and General Overseer of United Denominations of Action Chapel Churches Worldwide, Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams, and President of Eastwood Anaba Ministries, Rev. Eastwood Anaba, resigned from the Board of Trustees overseeing the construction of the National Cathedral in Ghana.
In a statement signed by both Archbishop Duncan-Williams and Reverend Anaba, they explained that the decision to resign was due to the failure of the government to appoint an independent accounting firm to audit all public funds contributed to the National Cathedral.
But this claim has been refuted by the Secretariat.
Lawrence Nana Asiamah Hanson aka Bulldog popular artist manager and entertainment pundit, has invoked the biblical passage Luke 14:28-30 to deliver a message to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo regarding the controversial National Cathedral project.
Bullgod speaking on UTV’s United Showbiz programme on October 23, 2023, expressed his displeasure with the government’s decision to use public funds and lands for the construction of a cathedral that he claimed was a personal promise by the president to God and this referred to this bible text to hammer is point.
“Is there anyone here who, planning to build a new house, doesn’t first sit down and figure the cost so you’ll know if you can complete it? If you only get the foundation laid and then run out of money, you’re going to look pretty foolish. Everyone passing by will poke fun at you: ‘He started something he couldn’t finish,’” he read, quoting from The Message Bible.
He drew a parallel between the biblical wisdom and the National Cathedral project, highlighting that Akufo-Addo had promised to undertake this monumental project in service to God.
Bulldog, in turn, had also made promises to four individuals named Sika, Nhyira, Adom, and Aseda, whom he referred to as his children. He emphasized his commitment to fulfill these promises with his own resources.
“Akufo-Addo promised God that he would do something for him. I have also promised four people that I would do something for them. They are called Sika, Nhyira, Adom and Aseda. They are my children. I have promised them something. So if I have promised my children that I would do something for them, I would have to use my own money to do that,” he said.
Bulldog dispelled any notions that Akufo-Addo lacked the financial means to support the project. He pointed out the affluence of the President’s family lineage and stated that Akufo-Addo was not without resources. Bulldog’s centralquestion was whether, given his promise to God, Akufo-Addo should not personally acquire the land for the National Cathedral project.
“Nana Akufo-Addo is not someone who does not have money. Even when you look at his father’s level throughout his family and even up to himself, they are very rich. So my question is this: If you have promised God that you would do something for him, buy your own land. Buy your own land. Akufo-Addo does not own any land in Ghana. It is owned by the people. Nana Akufo-Addo would not be where he is if we did not decide that he should be there. So Nana Akufo-Addo as a person and not a president, says he as a person wants to do something for God, he should buy his land. So if you have promised God that you would do something for him, use your own money, “Bullgod submitted.
He challenged the notion that the National Cathedral had become a national issue without proper consultation. Bulldog suggested that if this were the case, a referendum should have been conducted to gauge the collective will of the people.
“Someone said this is now a national issue. If it is a national issue, then there is something called a referendum. At which point did we have that referendum to all agree that now we want to turn this national matter into a personal matter? Or is it being forced on us?”
Responding to the belief that God’s hand was guiding the construction of the cathedral, Bulldog concurred, stating that God’s intervention might be to prevent His name from being tarnished. He suggested that God might have chosen to halt the project to avoid potential controversies.
“One of you also said God’s hand is in the building of the cathedral. I agree. His hand is on it in that he does not want his name to be ruined. He does not want a situation where there will be talks against his name. And so he has destroyed the project. God himself has destroyed the project. Thank you, Lord,” he noted.
A member of the National Cathedral project’s Board of Trustees, Reverend Dr. Kwabena Opuni Frimpong, is emphasizing the necessity for government clarity regarding its role in constructing the National Cathedral.
He argues that this transparency is vital to address public concerns and reduce distrust in the project.
The issue of government funding and oversight of the cathedral has caused confusion, with the government stating that it is facilitating the project, while board members suggest otherwise.
The recent resignation of two board members, Archbishop Duncan Williams and Reverend Eastwood Anaba, due to a perceived lack of transparency, has further highlighted these concerns.
Dr. Opuni Frimpong stresses the importance of the government openly declaring its position on the cathedral’s construction, as discussions and communications with government representatives have left uncertainties.
“This is an issue that we may need somebody from the government to just come out and publicly state that position.
“During the parliament discourse and a series of conversations with some government communicators and others, sometimes they don’t give you assurance. And I have wished that somebody will reecho that position and therefore how much of the facilitation or the seed money and then must let the Christians in this country know that this cathedral, its responsibility is the church and not the government. So we will need a clear statement from an official source,” he said.
Dr. Opuni-Frimpong also emphasized that the original idea was for the government to provide seed money, allowing the church to take the lead in building the cathedral.
He continued, nevertheless, that the current situation is unclear and raises questions about who is ultimately accountable.
“At the initial stages, they made it clear to us that the vision of having a national cathedral is the president’s vision but the churches in Ghana are going to build, the government will facilitate the roses and give seed money. That time those of us in office now started explaining that this is our responsibility.
“We started saying that the churches will even start going outside Accra other places for funds because we were convinced that we are building this cathedral. At the moment, I am not sure who is building the cathedral. While you want me to believe that this is still the church building, others will also hold the view that this is the government’s. We will need to streamline this public opinion about the cathedral.
“Statements have been thrown here and there, and you don’t know whether it’s the government building the cathedral or it’s the Christians in Ghana building the cathedral,” he added.
“At the initial stages, they made it clear to us that the vision of having a national cathedral is the president’s vision but the churches in Ghana are going to build, the government will facilitate the roses and give seed money. That time those of us in office now started explaining that this is our responsibility.
“We started saying that the churches will even start going outside Accra other places for funds because we were convinced that we are building this cathedral. At the moment, I am not sure who is building the cathedral. While you want me to believe that this is still the church building, others will also hold the view that this is the government’s. We will need to streamline this public opinion about the cathedral.
“Statements have been thrown here and there, and you don’t know whether it’s the government building the cathedral or it’s the Christians in Ghana building the cathedral,” he added.
Former General Secretary of the Christian Council of Ghana, Reverend Kwabena Opuni-Frimpong, has voiced his concerns about the ongoing National Cathedral project and the diminishing enthusiasm surrounding it.
In light of the recent resignations of Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams and Rev. Eastwood Anaba from the Board of Trustees responsible for overseeing the cathedral’s construction, Rev. Opuni-Frimpong noted that the initial zeal for the project has significantly waned.
During an interview with Selorm Adonoo on Eyewitness News, Rev. Opuni-Frimpong emphasized that the project’s initial vision was for it to be led and built by the church. However, as time has passed, it has become increasingly evident that the government has assumed a more prominent role in the project.
“I was in the Office as General Secretary at the very beginning of the National Cathedral. At the time, the former presiding bishop of the Methodist Church, Reverend Samuel Asante Antwi, was the chairman of the Board of the National Cathedral. He explained to us that we, the churches in Ghana, were going to build the Cathedral, not the government. The government was only going to facilitate the process and provide seed money. We were happy about this idea.”
“We thought we were having an opportunity to work together as Christians to achieve something,” Rev. Opuni-Frimpong continued. “However, when Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa started a series of disclosures, it became very clear that it was the government that was building the Cathedral.”
Rev. Opuni-Frimpong raised concerns that the project’s government involvement has eroded the sense of ownership and enthusiasm among Ghanaian Christians. He appealed to the government to consider allowing the churches to reclaim a leading role in the project.
“My plea is that the government must allow the churches to build the Cathedral. We should not offer to God a Cathedral that cost us nothing,” he said.
Archbishop Nicholas Duncan Williams and Rev. Eastwood Anaba tendered their resignations in a letter to the president, dated October 12, 2023, citing unaddressed concerns regarding their request for an audit of the National Cathedral project’s activities, which had been raised since January 2023.
They expressed disappointment that their repeated calls for an audit had been met with silence, contrary to their principles and beliefs.
In response, the National Cathedral Secretariat refuted the claim that they had received no communication regarding the audit process, labeling it as inaccurate.
In a statement, the Executive Director of the National Cathedral Project, Dr Paul Opoku-Mensah narrated that “following this, the engagement letter for Deloitte to officially begin the audit was drafted and signed by Deloitte on March 27, 2023, and set up on their system on May 17, 2023. The expectation was that the first part of the audit was to be completed in July 2023. The audit process, so far, can be confirmed with the auditors, Deloitte.”
“The Board was constantly updated on the process through the Chairman and the Steering Committee, as well as the Executive Director’s reports to the meetings of the Board.”
“Although Archbishop Duncan Williams and Rev. Eastwood Anaba were not present at both the June 2023 and September 2023 meetings, they and all the other Board members who were not physically present at the meeting were sent copies of all the documents for the Board meeting, including the Executive Director’s report. The claim that they have received no information, whatsoever, on the audit process is therefore false.”
Former National Democratic Congress Chairman for the Central Region, Allotey Jacobs, has added his voice to the conversation surrounding the resignations of Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams, Founder and General Overseer of the United Denominations of Action Chapel Churches Worldwide, and Rev. Eastwood Anaba, President of the Eastwood Anaba Ministries, from their roles on the Board of Trustees for Ghana’s National Cathedral project.
In his comments on these developments and other related controversies surrounding the cathedral, Allotey expressed his disappointment that instead of people rallying behind the president, they appear to be opposing his well-intentioned efforts to construct the cathedral.
Mr Allotey specifically mentioned North Tongu MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who has been highly critical of the government’s handling of the project, making allegations that question its integrity.
He expressed his bewilderment at the overwhelming negative sentiment surrounding the National Cathedral project and offered a specific caution to North-Tongu Member of Parliament, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, for his vehement criticism of the initiative.
“It pains me that something to glorify our God, our only one true God, that we will build an establishment for all Ghanaians irrespective of our religion and churches can gather there has become a sin,” he said.
“Even the temple that King Solomon built, it was a demon that supervised the construction of the temple of Solomon. Go to Israel and ask, they will tell him that the one who ensured the establishment of the temple was a demon that was commanded, instructed to supervise over the construction of the temple of Solomon,” he added.
There is no mention in the Bible of a demon building a temple for Solomon, per reseach. The construction of Solomon’s Temple, also known as the First Temple, is described in the Bible in the books of 1 Kings and 2 Chronicles.
The temple was built by Solomon, with the assistance of skilled workers, under the guidance of the Lord, as a place of worship and the central sanctuary for the Israelites.
The Member of Parliament for North Tongu constituency in the Volta Region, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has expressed his approval and appreciation for the recent resignations of Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams and Reverend Eastwood Anaba from their positions on the Board of Trustees responsible for overseeing the construction of Ghana’s National Cathedral.
Archbishop Duncan-Williams and Reverend Anaba released a joint statement explaining that their decision to resign from the Board of Trustees overseeing the construction of the National Cathedral was primarily driven by the government’s failure to designate an independent accounting firm responsible for conducting an audit of all public funds contributed to the project.
Mr. Ablakwa in an interview with Citi News said that the resignations are a confirmation of all the ills he has been speaking about the project and calling for it to be stopped for an independent audit to be conducted.
“I want to commend highly the two revered clergymen. Some may say it is delayed, but I will say better later than never because they have covered themselves in glory with this resignation, and it is a clear confirmation of the things I have been talking about.”
“Look at how they say they have been frustrated within the board about getting the board to carry out an independent audit. If these folks have nothing to hide, why did they really prevent efforts by these respected clergymen to have an independent audit? We will have time in the coming days, for an independent parliamentary inquiry on this matter. Our motion has gone through, the Speaker approved it and the House has voted on it, and we are just waiting for the NPP side to send their membership, and we will have a full-blown inquiry and delve into the matters.”
Media personality Bridget Otoo has criticized the recent response from the National Cathedral secretariat to the resignation of two prominent clergymen from the project’s Board of Trustees.
In a letter dated October 18, the secretariat challenged one of the main reasons provided by Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams and Rev. Eastwood Anaba for their decision to step down. They cited the lack of an audit into project activities and expenditures for transparency and to eliminate corruption perception.
In a rebuttal on October 17, the Executive Director of the National Cathedral project, Dr. Paul Opoku-Mensah, stated that an audit of the project was already underway and refuted the claim of inaction. Dr. Opoku-Mensah emphasized that the clergymen had been provided with copies of documents from Board meetings where their request for an audit had been discussed.
In response to these developments, the Secretariat labeled the clergymen’s claims as false, suggesting that they were untruthful regarding the cause of their resignation.
Bridget Otoo expressed her disapproval of this claim, implying that the secretariat had portrayed the clergymen as dishonest in their actions.
“It’s ironic that the National Cathedral is calling Duncan Williams & Eastwood Anaba liars. Isn’t that the same board that has a man with a fraudulent double identity – Rev. Kusi Boateng and Kwabena Adu Gyamfi,” she tweeted on Thursday, October 19.
Rev. Kusi Boateng, Secretary to the Board of Trustees, has faced accusations of a double identity and alleged shell companies for several months, with North Tongu legislator Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa bringing these allegations to light.
The court ruling confirmed evidence that the names Kusi Boateng and Adu Gyamfi were used to register different companies.
A prominent member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Kobina Arthur Kennedy, has stated that the next President of Ghana, following Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, should exercise wisdom and abandon the National Cathedral project.
He believes that the project represents a misallocation of resources, and it would not be prudent to continue investing in what he views as a misguided endeavor.
Dr. Kennedy, a former NPP flagbearer aspirant, expressed his views during an appearance on TV3’s Ghana Tonight on Wednesday, October 18.
His comments come in the wake of the resignation of two board members, Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams and Reverend Eastwood Anaba, who cited the lack of an audit of the project since their request in January as their reason for stepping down.
The National Cathedral Secretariat responded by clarifying that they had engaged the international accounting and auditing firm Deloitte to conduct the audit, and the two clergymen were aware of this.
“The attention of the Secretariat of the National Cathedral project has been drawn to a letter addressed to the President – sighted in the media before Board members received copies – of the resignation of two of the members of the Board, Archbishop Nicholas Duncan Williams and Rev Eastwood Anaba,” the reply in a statement dated Wednesday, October 18 began.
“The reason given in the letter for their resignation is said to be the lack of any information, whatsoever, following their January 23, 2023 resolution calling for an audit of the National Cathedral project, and a complete cessation of work on the project,” the statement signed by Executive Director Dr Paul Opoku-Mensah further noted.
Dr. Arthur Kennedy’s position is that the project was flawed from the outset because President Akufo-Addo had misled the Ghanaian public.
He considers the current state of the project as emblematic of the government’s reckless management of entrusted resources and a lack of care for the welfare of the Ghanaian people.
The US-based medical practitioner, therefore, advises the next President, to be elected on December 7, 2024, to discontinue the National Cathedral project.
He argued that continuing to invest in it would be wasteful, as he asserts that the money already spent has been squandered.
“If the person is wise, he would abandon it because this is sand cost. That’s what my economist friends tell me and we should not throw good money after bad money.
“This money has been wasted and the more money we put in this, the more wastage we will get,” he added.
He suggests redirecting the estimated $400 million, which has been invested in the project thus far, towards improving tourism infrastructure, such as constructing major hotels in the Cape Coast area, upgrading the Cape Coast-Accra road, and rehabilitating historical sites like Asebu Kwamankese.
Dr. Kennedy believes that constructing a Bible museum in sub-Saharan Africa is unlikely to attract tourists who typically visit major cathedrals in Europe.
He emphasized the need for a thorough audit of the project, suspecting that the funds contributed by Ghanaians have been misappropriated and misused.
A former Deputy General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Obiri Boahen, has voiced strong criticism of the government’s allocation of resources and priorities in Ghana.
During an interview interview with the media on October 18, 2023, Mr Boahen raised concerns about the construction of the National Cathedral, emphasizing that there are more urgent issues in the country that require immediate attention and resources.
He specifically highlighted the critical healthcare institutions, such as the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital and the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, which are in dire need of dialysis machines.
Mr Boahen explained that these facilities are essential for providing healthcare services to Ghanaians, and the absence of vital equipment like dialysis machines is a matter of serious concern.
Mr Boahen expressed his disapproval of the National Cathedral project, stating,”if you claim you will build a cathedral and all NPP people will be clapping, I will never clap for that project because it is not a number one priority. The amount of money that will be involved can be used to build the railway from Accra to Dormaa or Bawku, which is my topmost priority.
He added, “When you hear news like Komfo Anokye is lacking dialysis machine, Korle Bu is lacking dialysis machine and people are paying huge monies, how do you take that?
He went on to say, “When you hear news like Komfo Anokye is lacking dialysis machine, Korle Bu is lacking dialysis machine, and people are paying huge monies, how do you take that? If you live in a country that claims they are building a cathedral, but dialysis machines and incubators are lacking, and individuals are the ones providing such support for the hospitals, how do you talk about this?”
Dialysis is a crucial medical treatment for patients with kidney issues, as it helps remove excess fluids and waste from the bloodstream. Patients typically require three dialysis sessions per week to maintain a decent quality of life.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Dr. Opoku Ware Ampomah, shared that there are approximately 700 to 1,000 people undergoing dialysis treatment in the country, with 350 of them being treated at the Dialysis Unit of the KBTH.
The unit conducts 2,000 dialysis sessions every month.Dr. Ampomah also urged the government to establish the necessary legal frameworks to facilitate kidney transplants as an alternative to prolonged dialysis treatment, which can be quite stressful.
He made these comments while receiving a GHS 100,000 donation from a team representing The Maker’s House Chapel International for the Dialysis Unit of the Hospital.
Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has called on President Akufo-Addo to take immediate action to disband the National Cathedral Board of Trustees.
He also calls for a comprehensive forensic audit of the controversial project.
This appeal comes in the wake of the recent resignations of Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams and Rev. Eastwood Anaba from the National Cathedral Board of Trustees.
Their resignations were based on the board’s failure to appoint an independent accounting firm to audit all public funds contributed to the National Cathedral project.
This development marks the departure of four clergymen from the board, including Pastor Mensa Otabil and Bishop Dag Heward-Mills. In light of these events, the North Tongu MP emphasizes that there is no better time than now to dissolve the Board of Trustees and initiate a forensic audit of the project.
“Let me be honest with you, in an ideal situation, the Board should be dissolved and we should be having a full-scale probe. There should be a forensic audit into the activities of the project,” he said on JoyNews.
Anti-corruption advocate, Edem Senanu, stresses that any action taken regarding the National Cathedral Board of Trustees should be handled with caution due to the presence of high-profile individuals on the board.
Nonetheless, he underscores that the National Cathedral project is grappling with substantial credibility concerns.
“…obviously, there is a crisis situation when you have four members existing. It is time to pause and do a critical review of where this whole project stands,” he stressed.
It has emerged that a new member has been added to the list of the National Cathedral Trustee Board.
Executive Director for Ghana Museums and Monuments Board, Kingsley Ofosu Ntiamoah, has joined the Trustee Board per the data on membership provided by the National Cathedral Secretariat on October 18, 2023.
The addition of Kingsley Ofosu Ntiamoah to the Board was not publicised by the Secretariat or the many media houses or tabloids in the country.
In 2017, President Akufo-Addo inaugurated a 13-member Board which was chaired by Most Rev Dr. Samuel Asante Antwi up until his demise in 2020.
The other original members were the Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra, the Most Rev. Charles Palmer Buckle, Vice-Chairperson, Founder and General Overseer of Power Chapel Worldwide, Prophet Kusi Boateng, Secretary, Chairman of the Church of Pentecost and President of the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council, Apostle Dr Opoku Onyinah; the Founder of Salt and Light Ministries, Rev. Joyce Aryee; the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Right Rev. Prof. Cephas Omenyo; the Archbishop of the Church of the Province of West Africa and Bishop of Accra, the Most Rev. Dr Justice Offei Akrofi; the Founder of Action Chapel International, Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams; the Founder and President of Fountain Gate Chapel, Rev. Eastwood Anaba; the Founder and Presiding Bishop of the Lighthouse Chapel International, Bishop Dag Heward Mills; the Founder of the International Central Gospel Church, Pastor Mensa Otabil, and Rev. Dr Yaw Frimpong Manso and Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Martey, both former Moderators of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana.
Following Most Rev Dr. Samuel Asante Antwi’s demise, Most Rev T. K. Awotwi Pratt found his name on the list of Board Members, making the list 13 once again. This addition was not publicized per searches on the internet.
Most Rev T. K. Awotwi Pratt’s name was only found in the list of Board Members after MP for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa claimed that Dr Otabil had resigned due to illegalities.
The Executive Director of the National Cathedral project, Dr. Paul Opoku-Mensah, refuted this report, clarifying that prior to the registration of the members of the Board of Trustees in 2019, Dr. Otabil opted out since, “he could not give the needed attention to the project.”
This meant that the 13-member Board was now a 12-member Board.
As of June 2022, the members of the Board of Trustees were:
1. Apostle Prof. Opoku Onyinah, former Chairman of the Church of Pentecost – Chairperson
2. Most Rev. Charles Palmer Buckle, Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra – Vice-Chairperson
3. Most Rev. Bishop Justice Ofei Akrofi, Anglican Archbishop Emeritus – Member
4. Rt. Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Martey, former Moderator of the Presbyterian Church – Member
5. Most Rev T. K. Awotwi Pratt, Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church – Member
6. Rev Prof Cephas Omenyo, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church – Member
7. Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams, Presiding Archbishop and General Overseer of Action Chapel International – Member
8. Rev Dr Joyce Aryee, Executive Director, Salt and Light Ministries – Member
9. Bishop Dag Heward-Mills, Presiding Bishop, Lighthouse Group of Churches – Member
10. Rev Eastwood Anaba, Founder and President of Eastwood Anaba Ministries – Member
11. Rev Victor Kusi-Boateng, Founder of Power Chapel Worldwide – Member/Secretary
12. Rev Dr Frimpong Manso, General Superintendent, Assemblies of God – Member
Kingsley Ofosu Ntiamoah was nowhere to be found on the list.
But in the most recent data that reflects the resignation of Bishop Dag Heward-Mills; who left in August 2022, due to his unresolved concerns about the cost of the National Cathedral and other pertinent issues, Rev Prof Cephas Omenyo, who is said to have resigned from the Board due to bad health when the news became public in August 2022, Kingsley Ofosu Ntiamoah’s name can be found on the list of members.
This list of Board members however does not reflect the resignations of Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams and Rev Eastwood Anaba.
This suggests that the addition was made before the two men of God announced their resignation on October 12, 2023, which became public on October 17, 2023.
Following the resignation of Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams and Rev Eastwood Anaba, Bishop Dag Heward-Mills, Rev Prof Cephas Omenyo and Dr Mensa Otabil, the Board has nine members remaining instead of eight due to the addition of Kingsley Ofosu Ntiamoah.
The current members are:
1. Apostle Prof. Opoku Onyinah, former Chairman of the Church of Pentecost – Chairperson
2. Most Rev. Charles Palmer Buckle, Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra – Vice-Chairperson
3. Most Rev. Bishop Justice Ofei Akrofi, Anglican Archbishop Emeritus – Member
4. Rt. Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Martey, former Moderator of the Presbyterian Church – Member
5. Most Rev T. K. Awotwi Pratt, Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church – Member
6. Rev Dr Joyce Aryee, Executive Director, Salt and Light Ministries – Member
7. Rev Victor Kusi-Boateng, Founder of Power Chapel Worldwide – Member/Secretary
8. Rev Dr Frimpong Manso, General Superintendent, Assemblies of God – Member
Did you know, you could be enlisted as a founding member of the much talked about National Cathedral upon completion? Yes, the National Cathedral secretariat, according to their website nationalcathedralghana.org is offering a limited 3500 member slot to individuals willing to sign up and “solidify” their “spot amongst the select few founding members of the National Cathedral of Ghana”
All signatories will have amongst other benefits; a lifetime entrance to the museum and gardens, lifelong recognition on our Founding Member Wall, a special viewing of all exhibits before being open to the public, free admission to paid exhibits, priority entrance and VIP tickets to all grand opening events, amongst other benefits.
The Secretariat offers three levels of membership, namely; Limited Founder Membership, Limited Presidential Founder Membership and Limited Chairman Founding Membership.
Each Level of Membership, renewable yearly, has a limited quantity available.
The Limited Founder Membership, which has 2,000 slots and goes for, USD1,000/approximately GHS 11,000, offers a;
Invite for two to the private reception following banquet
Viewing of special exhibits prior to being open to public
Recognition on the Founding Member Wall
Priority listed for all Exploration trips
Limited edition memento
VIP tickets to all grand opening events
Image courtesy Adjaye Associates via nationalcathedralghana.org
The National Cathedral will comprise 3 main areas namely; A Cathedral, The Biblical Museum of Africa and The Biblical Gardens of Africa.
5,000 permanent seat auditorium
Auditorium expands to 15,000 seats
Baptistery Chapel
Conference Center
Grand Ballroom and Restaurant
Music and Choir Areas
National Crypt
Chapels
The Biblical Museum of Africa will comprise “the Bible in the African Church and the African influence in the Bible; Africa and The New Testament; and Africa and The Old Testament.”
The Biblical Gardens of Africa
On March 6, 2017, President Akufo-Addo cut the sod to signify the beginning of the National Cathedral’s development. Having it situated close to the State House in Ghana’s capital, the president described the Cathedral as a non-denominational worship space and a thanksgiving gesture to God. He has since held to his, desire to, complete the project as his way of honouring a promise he made to God concerning his 2016 victory.
Many Ghanaians have questioned the validity of building a Cathedral at the expense of other development projects that need urgent attention. Others like Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Hon Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa are more concerned by the President’s means of funding the project especially considering the nation’s current economic difficulties. Beyond
Five renowned men of God have departed the National Cathedral Trustees Board.
Founder of the International Central Gospel Church, Dr Mensa Otabil, is the first among the four to have denied being a part of the Board.
News on this information surfaced in June 2022 after MP for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa claimed that Dr Otabil resigned due to illegalities.
The Executive Director of the National Cathedral project, Dr. Paul Opoku-Mensah, refuted this report, clarifying that prior to the registration of the members of the Board of Trustees in 2019, Dr. Otabil opted out since, “he could not give the needed attention to the project.”
Founder of the International Central Gospel Church, Dr Mensa Otabil
“So, Dr. Mensa Otabil did not resign from the Board as being alleged, but excused himself at the point of registration of the Directors in July, 2019. For the avoidance of all doubt, Dr. Otabil has not been a member of the Board of Trustees since July, 2019,” he further explained in a statement.
Two months later, after this brouhaha, the founder of LightHouse Chapel International, Bishop Dag Heward-Mills, became the first member of the Trustees Board to officially resign.
Bishop Dag Heward-Mills, in August 2022, did not assign any specific reason for his departure; leaving the public to rely on their own conjectures. But in January 2023, he provided his justification in a letter available to Accra-based Citi TV.
In the ‘leaked’ letter, he noted that his unresolved concerns about the cost of the National Cathedral and other pertinent issues triggered his exit.
“I feel that the treatment of the issues I have raised in my several letters has been unfortunate. My letters have been ignored in the past; not attended to for years, and at best addressed flippantly”, Dag Heward-Mills said.
“You may recall I have spoken passionately and written extensively about the costs, the design, the location, the fundraising, the mobilization of the churches, and the role of the trustees.
“These, if heeded, would have made our project more achievable. Generally speaking, my inputs, my opinions, and my letters have been trivialized and set aside”, portions of the letter further disclosed.
He went on to clarify that despite his six-year tenure on the Board, his official designation as a Director of the National Cathedral had not been formally acknowledged.
Founder of LightHouse Chapel International, Bishop Dag Heward-Mills
Bishop Heward-Mills expressed the view that even if the omission of his name was initially an administrative oversight, it could have been rectified during his lengthy tenure on the Board.
In his opinion, this was not a mere oversight, and as a result, he opted to resign.
“I do not believe this is an oversight but a deliberate exclusion from the Board. Six years is a long time to correct this failure to register me if it was indeed an administrative lapse.
“l have therefore accepted for some time now that I am not a trustee of the National Cathedral, but I have still sought to help with the Cathedral because I believe in the President’s vision and I do not have to be a legally registered trustee to do so”, Dag Heward-Mills explained.
He continued, “I refer to myself in this letter as a trustee because even though l am not privy to most of the weighty decisions of the Board I am referred to as such”.
The resignation letter added: “I have been a reachable and available trustee and attended every single meeting of trustees since the pandemic began, in person and by zoom, and the records will show that.
“If I say that I, as a trustee, do not know many of the financial and technical issues concerning the Cathedral, it means the discussions about the National Cathedral were held by some people outside the trustees’ meeting or perhaps in a forum that I was not present or invited to”.
In that same month, reports emerged that Rev Prof Cephas Omenyo, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church, had resigned from the Board due to bad health.
Spokesperson for the Presbyterian Church, Rev. George Larbi who spoke to the media explained that the former Moderator resigned long ago due to ill health.
Past moderator of the Presbyterian Church, Rev. Professor Cephas Omenyo
“When he was elected, per his position as a moderator of the church, he was appointed a trustee of the National Cathedral. So, when he fell sick and could not function again and later on a new moderator was elected. In fact, he refused to be a member of the trustee.
“So, I remember I drew the attention of the public relations officer of the National Cathedral, that in this case they should take away Rev. Prof. Cephas Omenyo’s photo. Because, one of our former moderators, in the person of Very Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Martey already sits on the trustee. So, the current moderator is not even a member of the trustee because we already have Very. Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Martey there,” Mr. Larbi added.
Now, the talk of town is the resignation of two other prominent members of the Board.
Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams, the Founder and General Overseer of the United Denominations of Action Chapel Churches Worldwide, and Rev. Eastwood Anaba, Founder of Eastwood Anaba Ministries, in a letter on October 12, 2023, announced their resignation.
Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams, the Founder and General Overseer of the United Denominations of Action Chapel Churches Worldwide
This stemmed from unresolved challenges they raised to the Secretariat.
They announced the Secretariat’s failure to engage an independent accounting firm to conduct a thorough audit of all public funds contributed to the National Cathedral project.
In January 2023, as Trustees of the Board of Trustees, they submitted a draft Resolution to the said Board resolving that current activities, advancing the construction of Ghana’s National Cathedral, be deferred until the findings of an audit. This deferment included a cessation of activities by the Board of Trustees.
“In the spirit and cause of transparency and accountability to the Ghanaian people, the current Board of Trustees of The National Cathedral shall appoint an independent accounting firm to audit all public funds contributed to The National Cathedral. This appointment of an auditor shall take place before the deferment of the activities of the Board of Trustees,” the Resolution stated.
Rev. Eastwood Anaba, Founder of Eastwood Anaba Ministries
However, according to the clergymen, the Board failed to act on its request.
Government’s inaction, they said, would affect their conscience and faith should they remain adamant and support such an initiative.
It is their aim that the project be “built on a foundation of integrity, efficiency and quality while gamering and maintaining public trust and support.”
This statement indicates that the project currently lacks these virtues and a lot more as alleged by Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
Meanwhile, the National Cathedral Secretariat is yet to respond to the recent resignations of the two men of God.
The Board of Trustees, which stood at 13, is currently at 8.
1. Apostle Prof. Opoku Onyinah, former Chairman of the Church of Pentecost – Chairperson
2. Most Rev. Bishop Justice Ofei Akrofi, Anglican Archbishop Emeritus – Member
3. Rt. Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Martey, former Moderator of the Presbyterian Church – Member
4. Most Rev T. K. Awotwi Pratt, Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church – Member
5. Rev Dr Joyce Aryee, Executive Director, Salt and Light Ministries – Member
6. Rev Victor Kusi-Boateng, Founder of Power Chapel Worldwide – Member/Secretary
7. Rev Dr Frimpong Manso, General Superintendent, Assemblies of God – Member
Note that during the inauguration of the Board, Most Rev Dr. Samuel Asante Antwi, was appointed Chairman by President Akufo-Addo in 2017, but he passed away in 2020.
A 2017 report by Graphic Online announcing the inauguration of the Board read: “The board is chaired by a former Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church of Ghana, the Most Rev. Samuel Asante Antwi, with the Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra, the Most Rev. Charles Palmer Buckle, as Vice-Chairperson, and the Founder and General Overseer of Power Chapel Worldwide, Prophet Kusi Boateng, as Secretary.
The other members are the Chairman of the Church of Pentecost and President of the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council, Apostle Dr Opoku Onyinah; the Founder of Salt and Light Ministries, Rev. Joyce Aryee; the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Right Rev. Prof. Cephas Omenyo; the Archbishop of the Church of the Province of West Africa and Bishop of Accra, the Most Rev. Dr Justice Offei Akrofi; the Founder of Action Chapel International, Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams; the Founder and President of Fountain Gate Chapel, Rev. Eastwood Anaba; the Founder and Presiding Bishop of the Lighthouse Chapel International, Bishop Dag Heward Mills; the Founder of the International Central Gospel Church, Pastor Mensa Otabil, and Rev. Dr Yaw Frimpong Manso and Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Martey, both former Moderators of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana.”
Per the report, Most Rev T. K. Awotwi Pratt, Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church, was the newly added member as of 2022, as his name was absent from the list in 2017.
Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams, the Founder and General Overseer of the United Denominations of Action Chapel Churches Worldwide, and Rev. Eastwood Anaba, President of Eastwood Anaba Ministries, have noted that the current state of the National Cathedral project leaves much to be desired with regards to quality and integrity.
The clergymen communicated this sentiment in their joint letter communicating their resignation from the Board of Trustees on October 12, 2023.
They announced the government’s failure to engage an independent accounting firm to conduct a thorough audit of all public funds contributed to the National Cathedral project.
In January 2023, as Trustees of the Board of Trustees, they submitted a draft Resolution to the said Board resolving that current activities, advancing the construction of Ghana’s National Cathedral, be deferred until the findings of an audit. This deferment included a cessation of activities by the Board of Trustees.
“In the spirit and cause of transparency and accountability to the Ghanaian people, the current Board of Trustees of The National Cathedral shall appoint an independent accounting firm to audit all public funds contributed to The National Cathedral. This appointment of an auditor shall take place before the deferment of the activities of the Board of Trustees,” the Resolution stated.
However, according to the clergymen, the Board failed to act on its request.
Government’s inaction, they said, would affect their conscience and faith should they remain adamant and support such an initiative.
It is their aim that the project be “built on a foundation of integrity, efficiency and quality while gamering and maintaining public trust and support.”
This statement indicates that the project currently lacks these virtues.
Founder and General Overseer of United Denominations of Action Chapel Churches Worldwide, Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams, and President of Eastwood Anaba Ministries, Rev. Eastwood Anaba, have officially resigned from their positions on the Board of Trustees responsible for overseeing the construction of the National Cathedral.
In a joint statement issued by Archbishop Duncan-Williams and Rev. Anaba, they explained that their decision to step down was prompted by the government’s failure to engage an independent accounting firm to conduct a thorough audit of all public funds contributed to the National Cathedral project.
In January 2023, as Trustees of the Board of Trustees, they submitted a draft Resolution to the said Board resolving that current activities, advancing the construction of Ghana’s National Cathedral, be deferred until the findings of an audit. This deferment included a cessation of activities by the Board of Trustees.
“In the spirit and cause of transparency and accountability to the Ghanaian people, the current Board of Trustees of The National Cathedral shall appoint an independent accounting firm to audit all public funds contributed to The National Cathedral. This appointment of an auditor shall take place before the deferment of the activities of the Board of Trustees,” the Resolution stated.
However, according to the clergymen, the Board failed to act on its request.
“Despite our prayers, best hopes and wishes, unfortunately, a needed audit to help restore public confidence and trust in this consequential project has not been enacted to the best of our knowledge.
Since January 2023, we awaited news, to no avail, regarding the finding of the audit,” the resignation letter noted.
As such, the men of God noted that as “a matter of conscience and faith,” they hereby resign from the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral.
According to them, they design to resign in no way impugns the vision or intent of the National Cathedral.
However, they want the project to be “built on a foundation of integrity, efficiency and quality while gamering and maintaining public trust and support.”
This statement indicates that the project currently lacks these virtues.
“We truly owe this to God and to country. We remain confident that one day your vision of a National Cathedral of Ghana that provides a “sacred space and infrastructure” for formal religious and other activities in the nation, such as state funerals, presidential inaugural services, and global gatherings that advance faith, peace, reconciliation, stability and a better world, while supporting tourism as a promising pillar of Ghana’s economy, will be realised in our lifetime.
“We believe that you will always stand as the visionary and the architect of this vision and trust that “a dream deferred is not a dream denied,” the letter added.
The Founder and General Overseer of the United Denominations of Action Chapel Churches Worldwide, Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams, and President of the Eastwood Anaba Ministries, Rev. Eastwood Anaba, have tendered their resignations from the Board of Trustees overseeing the construction of the National Cathedral in Ghana.
The National Cathedral, envisioned as a symbol of unity and pride for Ghanaians and a place of national worship, has been a source of controversy since its inception.
In a joint statement, Archbishop Duncan-Williams and Reverend Anaba cited the government’s failure to appoint an independent accounting firm to audit the public funds contributed to the National Cathedral project as the reason for their resignation.
“Despite our prayers, best hopes and wishes, unfortunately, a needed audit to help restore public confidence and trust in this consequential project has not been enacted to the best of our knowledge. Since January 2023, we awaited news to no avail, regarding the finding of the audit.
“We, therefore, regret that as a matter of conscience and faith, we hereby submit to you our resignation from the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral.”
These esteemed clergymen had previously called for the suspension of the National Cathedral’s construction in January 2023, pending a project audit.
They expressed concern about the challenging economic conditions in Ghana, which they believed would hinder the project’s timely completion.
They proposed that an independent accounting firm should audit all public funds contributed to and expended by the National Cathedral for transparency and accountability to the Ghanaian people.
“The current economic climate in Ghana presents obstacles to the timely construction and completion of the National Cathedral… We, therefore, resolve: That in the spirit and cause of transparency and accountability to the Ghanaian people, the current Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral shall appoint an independent, nationally recognized accounting firm to audit all public funds contributed to and spent by the National Cathedral,” the two clergymen said in a memo.
Dag Heward-Mills resigns from Board of Trustees
Bishop Dag Heward-Mills of Lighthouse Chapel International stepped down from the National Cathedral’s Board of Trustees in August 2022.
In his resignation letter addressed to the Chairman of the Board, he expressed disappointment at the National Cathedral’s leadership for neglecting the concerns he had repeatedly raised in various letters, with the latest one sent through the Ghana Charismatic Bishops’ Conference in June 2022.
The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, was among the 14 individuals copied on this letter.
“I feel that the treatment of the issues I have raised in my several letters has been unfortunate. My letters have been ignored in the past; not attended to for years, and at best addressed flippantly.”
“You may recall I have spoken passionately and written extensively about the costs, the design, the location, the fundraising, the mobilization of the churches, and the role of the trustees. These, if heeded, would have made our project more achievable. Generally speaking, my inputs, my opinions, and my letters have been trivialized and set aside.”
Broadcaster with the Media General Group, Johnny Hughes has sent a passionate appeal to the President to rescind his intentions to name the University of Ghana after Dr J.B Danquah.
He made the plea on TV3’s popular segment on the morning show, Johnnies Bite.
“As for the renaming ceremony of the University of Ghana, we beg you to leave it alone,” he said.
#JohnniesBite: As for the renaming ceremony of the University of Ghana, we beg you to leave it alone. You can name the National Cathedral after J.B Danquah if you like but please leave this one alone – @hughes_onair to the President#TV3NewDaypic.twitter.com/lkN8cwdbjL
He entreated the President to construct a university in Kyebi, the President’s hometown and name it after Dr J.B Danquah, otherwise, complete the National Cathedral project and name it after the statesman.
“You can name the National Cathedral after J.B Danquah if you like but please leave this one alone,” he added.
Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has alleged that the Deputy Commissioner of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice’s (CHRAJ) residence is one of the properties demolished in November 2018 to pave way for the construction of the National Cathedral.
According to him, the rent for the Deputy Commissioner of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) caused Ghanaians a whopping GHS900,000.
He revealed this in a Twitter post on Monday, August 14, 2023.
“I have only recently discovered that on the instruction of Prez Akufo-Addo, the official residence of a Deputy Commissioner of CHRAJ was also demolished to create more space for the construction of Akufo-Addo’s Cathedral.
“Thus far, taxpayers have spent over GH¢900,000.00 on rent for this Deputy Commissioner. (That is GH¢180,000.00 annually). CHRAJ is therefore one of the many institutions waiting to be compensated,” he added.
Earlier the MP had indicated that the Scholarship Secretariat, the Passport Office the Judicial Training Institute, the Waterstone Realty Apartment Complex.
The others : the residence of the Malian Ambassador, Offices of ComSys, a communication services provider and an economic research institute Offices of the African Centre for Economic Transformation (ACET) were part of the structures government destroyed for the Cathedral.
Meanwhile, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has indicated that the government has completely compensated all establishments whose structures were affected in relation of the construction of the National Cathedral.
He disclosed that these organizations were given substitute parcels of public land to facilitate their relocation.
He gave this information while addressing a parliamentary session on Thursday, 27 July.
“Mr Speaker, the land on which the National Cathedral is being constructed, measuring approximately 16.26 acres, forms part of a large tract of land acquired by the state in 1910 by a certificate of title dated 29 September 1910.
“Mr Speaker, apart from the public institution that occupied the area, four private institutions had interest in the land in addition to the Embassy of the Republic of Mali. All these institutions have been provided with alternative public lands. The Embassy of the Republic of Mali and Waterstone Realty Limited have been relocated to Airport,” he said.
“The Africa Center for Energy Policy (ACEP) has been relocated to Roman Ridge. Numo Logistics Limited has been relocated to Cantonment and Comsys Limited has been relocated to East Ridge, thus, Mr. Speaker, all persons, both public and private, who were affected by the construction have been adequately compensated by way of alternative properties,” he added.
Despite the fact that the National Cathedral project has been postponed due to lack of funds, yet, it continues to generate debate.
So far, the state has invested GHC339 million in the project, with Parliament rejecting a provision of GHC80 million in the 2023 budget.
The Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has claimed that the rent for the Deputy Commissioner of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) caused Ghanaians a whopping GHS900,000.
According to him, the deputy commissioner’s official residence was one of the properties razed in November 2018 to make way for the development of the National Cathedral.
In a Twitter post, the MP revealed the purported measures performed on the orders of President Akufo-Addo.
I have only recently discovered that on the instruction of Prez Akufo-Addo, the official residence of a Deputy Commissioner of CHRAJ was also demolished to create more space for the construction of Akufo-Addo’s Cathedral.
“I have only recently discovered that on the instruction of Prez Akufo-Addo, the official residence of a Deputy Commissioner of CHRAJ was also demolished to create more space for the construction of Akufo-Addo’s Cathedral.
“Thus far, taxpayers have spent over GH¢900,000.00 on rent for this Deputy Commissioner. (That is GH¢180,000.00 annually). CHRAJ is therefore one of the many institutions waiting to be compensated,” he wrote on Twitter.
Ablakwa’s allegations also included a list of other notable properties that were reportedly demolished for the project’s construction.
“Updated list of demolished properties: Judges’ Bungalows, Judicial Training Institute, Passport Head Office, Scholarship Secretariat, Malian Ambassador’s Residence, Comsys Ghana Limited, Waterstone Realty Apartment Complex and CHRAJ Deputy Commissioner’s Residence.
“Never again in our history should such presidential recklessness be tolerated. I really can’t wait for the Parliamentary probe to begin. Ghana First,” the tweet concluded.
Founder and leader of the Ghana Union Movement (GUM), Reverend Kwabena Andrews, intends to file a class action against the President of the Republic, Nana Akufo-Addo, over the National Cathedral project.
According to Reverend Kwabena Andrews popularly known as Osofo Kyiri Abosom, he will take up this action at a time when President Akufo-Addo no longer steers the affairs of the country.
In an interview on UTV, Kyiri Abosom said this would be part of his initiatives when he is elected president one day. He explained that the president would have to answer for the destruction of judges’ residence just to make way for a cathedral.
“If I become the president one day, I will take him (Akufo-Addo) to court over the National Cathedral issue, because why will he go and demolish the judge’s building to build the said Cathedral, Cathedral for what?
“All the churches will collapse very soon because we have waited upon the Lord for long and there are no benefits to that effect.”
He additionally put forth the idea of enacting regulations that would confine church services to particular days, with Sundays being the primary focus, in order to strengthen the religious observance.
I will take Prez Akufo-Addo to court if I am voted to power for wasting money on National Cathedral – Reverend Christian Kwabena Andrews (Kyiri Abosom)#UTVNewspic.twitter.com/HTxzxFzQXw
In his own words, “If it is possible, we should make laws that nobody should go to church on any other day except Sundays. If you will choose Friday, then only Fridays. So, we know that definitely Saturdays and Sundays belong to Christians.”
He further suggested that restricting church activities to specific days would reduce noise levels on other days and contribute to a more peaceful environment.
Meanwhile, North Tongu Member of Parliament, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has revealed that despite the suspension of work on the National Cathedral of Ghana project due to a lack of funds, the project’s debt continues to grow. As of early August 2023, the accumulated debt has reached a staggering US$52 million.
Ablakwa emphasized that even though construction activities are not currently ongoing, certain contractual obligations are responsible for the ongoing debts. Notably, a concept known as “suspension claims” requires the Ghanaian government to make monthly payments of US$500,000, even during the period of suspended construction. This practice has significantly contributed to the substantial debt that has accrued.
Breaking down the sources of the debt, Ablakwa provided the following information:
A certified claim of US$29 million from Ribade, the company responsible for the construction, arising from their decision to halt work and lay off staff in March 2022.
An interest claim amounting to US$13 million on the aforementioned US$29 million, as reported by the contractors.
An additional debt of US$10 million attributed to the suspension of work itself.
This information underscores the intricate financial challenges associated with managing large-scale infrastructure projects. It highlights the potential financial consequences that can persist even when construction activities are temporarily put on hold.
Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has revealed that the National Cathedral project is accumulating debts even though construction work on the project has been halted due to a lack of funds.
During an appearance on Metro TV’s Good Morning Ghana show, Ablakwa clarified that the accumulations by early August 2023 had reached a total of $52 million.
He advised individuals asserting that the project was gradually fading away that their stance was inaccurate, as it was still incurring expenses for taxpayers. He highlighted that those suggesting harm had already been inflicted and asserting that the project had been at a standstill for 17 months, potentially succumbing to a natural cessation were not accurate in their assessment.
“I want to avert the minds of people who may be thinking that way to the fact that the contract which has been signed, a very very terrible contract per experts, even though work is not going on, there are accruals. There is something in the contract called suspension claims,” he submitted on August 5, 2023.
“So, even though the government has suspended work, every month, Ghana is paying US$500,000. Every month, so it is accruing, as we speak, the accruals alone have come to US$52 million,” he revealed.
He reminded that US$58 million had been spent already before going on to give a break down of the accruals as follows:
a. US$29m certified claim from Ribade, after the company stopped work and laid off staff in March 2022
b. Interest claim on the US$29 million is US$13 million that is what contractors are saying
c. Suspension of work so far has accrued debt of US$10m
