Mr. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Member of Parliament for North Tongu, has demanded the immediate dissolution of the Board of Trustees and the closure of the Secretariat of the National Cathedral, citing their failure to effectively execute their mandate. The call comes in light of a financial scandal surrounding the project, with questions raised about the whereabouts of US$58,141,509.52 (GH¢740 million) earmarked for construction, and the abandonment of the project by contractors due to unpaid dues two years ago.
Accompanied by fellow Minority members, media personnel, and security forces, Ablakwa symbolically “commissioned” the National Cathedral Project en route from Parliament House to the project site at Ridge. However, their path was impeded by barricades erected by Military and Police personnel, leading to a confrontation.
Ablakwa referenced Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta's announcement during the 2021 Mid-year Budget Review, stating that the Cathedral would be officially commissioned on March 6, 2024, indicating progress on the project. Expressing dismay at the alleged misappropriation of taxpayer funds, Ablakwa demanded accountability from the Board of Trustees and the National Cathedral Secretariat, insisting on a thorough investigation and prosecution of those found responsible.
Furthermore, Ablakwa questioned President Akufo-Addo's failure to fulfill his pledge to commission the Cathedral on schedule. He called for a national debate to explore alternative uses for the site, citing suggestions such as a specialist children's hospital or a proposal by the Trade Union Congress to convert it into a hospital.
The National Cathedral project, proposed by the government in 2017 as a symbol of national unity and spirituality, has faced criticism for its perceived misuse of funds and the demolition of state property to make way for its construction. Designed by architect David Adjaye, the $100-million project aims to accommodate 5,000 individuals, along with chapels, a baptistery, a music school, an art gallery, and a Bible museum.
As calls for accountability grow louder, the future of the National Cathedral remains uncertain, with Ablakwa's demands for dissolution marking a significant development in the ongoing controversy surrounding the project.