Archbishop Duncan-Williams and Rev. Eastwood Anaba, both of whom serve on the National Cathedral project’s Board of Trustees, have demanded an audit and a suspension of construction immediately.
According to a report by Joy FM, the pastors informed the Cathedral’s Secretariat that the controversy surrounding the project prompted them to request the suspension of the National Cathedral and to ensure that the Ghanaian people have access to all information about the project’s finances.
“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.
“Auditors will also audit the overall cost of the project. This appointment of an auditor shall take place before the deferment of activities of the Board of Trustees,” excerpts of the memo said.
“That 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,” excerpts of the memo added.
Bishop Dag Heward-Mills, the founder of LightHouse Chapel International, also resigned from the Cathedral’s Board of Trustees.
The project was envisioned in March 2017 as a physical embodiment of national unity, harmony, and spirituality.
The inter-denominational cathedral is expected to have an auditorium capable of seating 5,000 people, chapels, and a baptistery.
Despite massive criticisms especially about the timing of the project, the President has stated firmly that it would be built.
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa recently made fresh allegations about the budget for the National Cathedral project. He says he has uncovered that GH2.6 million had been paid to a creche in Dawhenya, a suburb of Accra.
The Executive Director of the National Cathedral Secretariat, Dr. Paul Opoku Mensah, says government has so far spent GH₵339.003.064.86.
Source – Tru News Report
