ORAL: ‘National Cathedral spending is an ‘expensive pit of deceit’ – Ablakwa

The Chairperson of the Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) Team, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has described the spending on the controversial National Cathedral project as an “expensive pit of deceit.”

Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express with Evans Mensah on Wednesday, he alleged a web of misrepresentation and financial impropriety involving the project, which has long been a subject of national debate.

Ablakwa’s remarks focused on the involvement of public funds in the project, the role of the clergy, and the accountability of key figures such as President Nana Akufo-Addo and former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta.

Mr Ablakwa stated unequivocally that the National Cathedral project was initially sold to the Ghanaian people—and even to the clergy involved in its oversight—as a privately funded initiative.

He accused President Akufo-Addo of misleading the public and the board of trustees.

“I have said time without number that the work I have done on the National Cathedral, and I’ve really done a lot of work, intercepted a lot of documents, convinces me that a lot of this clergy were misled,” Mr Ablakwa revealed.

He pointed to evidence he claimed to have intercepted, including documents from the Finance Ministry that showed public funds were used for the project without parliamentary approval, in violation of Ghana’s Constitution.

“Some of these Reverend Ministers even delivered sermons to assure their congregations that public funds would not be used,” he said.

“It was later, on the blind side of Parliament, that monies were withdrawn by Ken Ofori-Atta without the knowledge of the public.”

Ablakwa defended the clergy who initially served on the board of trustees, including respected figures like Dag Heward-Mills, Nicholas Duncan-Williams, and Eastwood Anaba, emphasizing that they were not complicit in the misuse of public funds.

“If you read the resignation letters of Dag Heward-Mills and Nicholas Duncan-Williams, they state clearly that this was not what they were told.

“They were excluded from key decisions, including the selection of architects and contractors, as well as the demolition of properties for the project,” Mr Ablakwa explained.

He added, “I have a lot of sympathy for these eminent clergy. From the overwhelming evidence I’ve seen, President Akufo-Addo was not candid with them. They were simply misled.”

The ORAL Chairperson called for accountability from those he described as the masterminds of the financial impropriety.

He accused President Akufo-Addo and Ken Ofori-Atta of engaging in illegal withdrawals of public funds to finance the project, actions he said were unconstitutional.

“They must be held accountable,” Mr Ablakwa stressed.

“You cannot leave out President Akufo-Addo and Ken Ofori-Atta, who masterminded these acts, and then go after the clergy who were misled.”

He singled out Victor Kusi Boateng, also known as Kwabena Adu Gyamfi, accusing him of engaging in “double identity criminality.”

The National Cathedral project has long faced scrutiny over its financing and management. The Minority in Parliament has previously described it as “the most expensive pit,” referencing the stalled construction site, which has consumed millions of cedis in public funds.

The project was initially presented as a national symbol of unity and faith, but it has since become a lightning rod for criticism over its lack of transparency and accountability.

Mr Ablakwa assured the public that the National Cathedral project would feature prominently in ORAL’s investigations.

“Ghanaians are looking forward to closure on this matter. We need to conduct a forensic audit to know where the money has ended up because clearly, $58 million and counting cannot reflect what is on the ground,” he said.

Mr Ablakwa reiterated his commitment to ensuring that those responsible for financial malfeasance are brought to justice.

“This is not just about protecting public resources; it’s about restoring faith in governance,” he concluded.

“We owe it to Ghanaians to follow the money and hold those who betrayed the public trust accountable.”

Source: myjoyonline.com