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.