Nat’l Cathedral: Charge Akufo-Addo for causing financial loss to the state when he exits or freeze his ex gratia – Gyampo

A Professor at the University of Ghana, Ransford Gyampo has said that if possible, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo must be charged for causing financial loss to the state relative to the national cathedral project.

If that cannot be de done, then his ex gratia should be frozen when he leaves office, Prof Gyampo suggested.

For him, someone in government must suffer the consequences of investing a huge sum of public funds into this project that has not materialized.

Speaking on the Key Points on TV3 on Saturday, July 27, Prof Gyampo said “For the National Cathedral, I think that somebody must be sued for causing financial loss to the state. President Akufo-Addo himself must suffer some consequences.

“If it is possible, let us freeze his gratuity to be used in paying for the covering of the cathedral. If that is not enough then we sue him for having caused financial loss to the state,” he said.

It is recalled that recently, the Minister of State at the Finance Ministry, Abena Osei-Asare disclosed that the government has expended GH¢339 million on the National Cathedral project since 2020.

Abena Osei-Asare confirmed this in Parliament on Wednesday, July 3 when the Deputy Majority Leader, Patricia Appiagyei, sought clarity on the funds allocated and spent on the project.

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The Deputy Finance Minister also added that accounts of the project are currently being audited by Deloitte Ghana.

“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,” the Deputy Finance Minister noted.

Since its inception in 2020, the National Cathedral project has been surrounded by controversy.

Its construction has provoked discussions about a variety of topics, from the timeliness and necessity of such a massive edifice to the transparency and administration of the funds allotted for its development.

National Cathedral is a national asset and must be completed – Egyapa Mercer