Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has advised President Akufo-Addo to focus solely on fulfilling his personal covenant with God regarding the construction of the National Cathedral.
Speaking to the media on Wednesday, September 18, Bagbin emphasized that the President’s pledge was made on a personal basis and should not involve taxpayers in its funding.
He explained that Akufo-Addo had promised to build the Cathedral after visiting the Wailing Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem, where he made a solemn vow to the Lord.
According to Bagbin, the president is the only individual with such an agreement, and citizens should not bear the financial burden.
“It was a pledge by H.E the president to God when he visited the Wailing Wall. My evidence is that the president visited the Wailing Wall three times. That was one of the pledges but it was a personal pledge. It was a personal pledge by him. It shouldn’t be a national project. He said if he becomes president he will construct a Cathedral for you my Lord,” he added.
The National Cathedral project, which commenced in 2020, has been surrounded by controversy from the start.
The debates span various sectors of society, focusing on the necessity and timing of such a large-scale structure, along with concerns about transparency and the management of public funds.
Recently, the Minority Leader in Parliament, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, criticized the project, referring to it as the “world’s most expensive swimming pool” after a site visit.
Dr. Forson expressed his frustration over the slow progress of the project, which has seen little advancement despite years of development.
In a Twitter post on Tuesday, September 17, Dr. Forson noted that despite substantial public funds being allocated, the site currently only contains a water-filled pit.
“After breaking down newly-constructed residential buildings of judges, the Passport Office, private properties and claiming to have sunk over $58 million into a so-called National Cathedral, demonstrators had unfettered access to the construction site for the very first time.”
“The expenditure of a $58 million National Cathedral is comparable to an abandoned galamsey site.”
“The world’s most expensive hole had collected so much water that it is now the world’s most expensive swimming pool. Some of the demonstrators had fun swimming in it,” he posted.
Meanwhile, the Minister of State at the Finance Ministry, Abena Osei Asare, clarified that the government has spent over GH¢339 million on the National Cathedral project.
This significant expenditure was confirmed in Parliament on Wednesday, July 3.
The Deputy Finance Minister also noted that the National Cathedral’s accounts are currently undergoing an audit.
“The total releases made for the National Cathedral by the government to date remain at GH¢339 million. This figure comprises GH¢225 million paid to the National Cathedral Secretariat, and GH¢113 million paid directly to the project consultant.
“There was a value-for-money audit done on the project in 2021. Also, a statutory audit of the National Cathedral of Ghana accounts by Deloitte Ghana was started in July 2023 and is ongoing.
“Auditors had concluded the audit of the 18-month account ended December 31, 2020. Meanwhile, preparations are in place for the auditors to complete the remaining accounts for the periods ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023.”