Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu, has strongly criticized the model adopted for Ghana's national cathedral project, labelling it as the “most reckless model used for any national project.”
Ablakwa cited significant demolitions, including the destruction of the Scholarship Secretariat, passport head office, Judicial Training Institute, and judges' bungalows, which led to a prominent Appeal Court judge's resignation.
He also highlighted the demolition of the Malian ambassador's residence, causing diplomatic tensions.
Ablakwa, alongside five other minority members, filed a private member's motion demanding a probe into the stalled national cathedral project, despite an injection of about $58 million.
In response, Parliament directed the establishment of an ad-hoc committee to conduct an inquiry into the project, and its related matters, and offer suitable recommendations.
Ablakwa emphasized that the call for a probe was rooted in concerns over irregularities, lawlessness, conflicts of interest, and procurement breaches associated with the project.
He clarified that the campaign wasn't in opposition to a place of worship but rather against the perceived shortcomings of the project.
Meanwhile, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, countered reports that institutions affected by the cathedral's construction were not compensated.
Jinapor stated that the government had fully compensated these institutions and provided alternative public lands for their relocation.
He affirmed that these institutions are operational in various parts of Accra.
