Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams
Two members of the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral, Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams of Action Chapel International and Rev. Eastwood Anaba of Eastwood Anaba Ministries have called for the suspension of the construction of the project.
According to the duo, this is to pave the way for an audit to be carried out by an independent firm into all public funds contributed and spent towards the project in the spirit of transparency and accountability to Ghanaians.
The call comes after the NDC MP for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, exclusively revealed that some GH¢2.6 million was paid to a company owned by Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng, who is the Secretary of the Board of Trustees, under questionable circumstances.
The two clergymen are said to have stated in a memo to the board that the current economic climate in Ghana also makes it impossible for the timely completion of the project.
“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 recognised accounting firm to audit all public funds contributed to and spent by the National Cathedral,” part of memo purportedly indicated.
“The current activities advancing the construction of Ghana’s National Cathedral shall be deferred until the atmospherics in Ghana are improved and the audit of the Cathedral account is done,” the two trustees added.
For them, the audit will ensure that the Cathedral is built on a foundation of integrity, efficiency, and quality while garnering and maintaining public trust and support.
“Within this period, Board of Trustee members will not engage the media on National Cathedral matters. We further declare: That this resolution to defer activities of the National Cathedral 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 garnering and maintaining public trust and support,” it emphasised.
President Akufo-Addo broke grounds for the construction of the National Cathedral on March 5, 2020 in fulfilment of his pledge made to God during the 2016 general election.
According to the President, Ghana has been spared civil war, famine, and epidemic, noting that the country is not better than other nations which experienced these challenges.
“I believe it is by the grace of God that we are being sustained. It will be an act of thanksgiving to the Almighty God for his blessing, favour, grace and mercy on our nation,” President Akufo-Addo said.
A Political Desk Report