Akufo-Addo’s government blows over GH¢57 million on National Cathedral project
National Cathedral project
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s government has so far released over GH¢57 million for the construction of the National Cathedral project.
In a document leaked by Honourable Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Member of Parliament for North Tongu Constituency cum the Ranking Member on Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee said, earlier in 2021, a total of GH¢32,070,103.02 has been paid by the government for construction of the National Cathedral.
Documents from the Office of the President confirmed that in December 2021 alone, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has authorized an astonishing GH¢32,070,103.02 of taxpayer funds to be paid into account 2210801 of Sir David Adjaye & Associates Ltd for consultancy services on new bids opening and interviewing of contractors rendered on the National Cathedral project.
Also, in another leaked document authorized by the Minister of Finance Hon. Ken Ofori-Atta dated 31st March, 2022 has ordered the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department to make additional payment of seed money for construction of the National Cathedral to RIBADE limited.
In the Memo, the Finance Minister said, authority has been granted the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department to release the sum of GH¢25,000,000.00 (Twenty-Five Million Ghana Cedis) as additional seed money to the National Cathedral Secretariat for the construction of the National Cathedral for part payment of outstanding claims from RIBADE limited.
In total, a whopping amount of GH¢57,070,103.02 has been released so far by Government for the construction of the National Cathedral.
Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa explained that, the monies were released at the blind side and without the approval of Parliament of Ghana
The MP pledges that, they shall demand urgent answers in Parliament into the unapproved released of the monies.
Mr. Ablakwa said, considering the current debilitating economic crisis, why is the Akufo-Addo government releasing a colossal GH¢25 million for the National Cathedral project?
According to him, shockingly, this is the same government claiming lack of funds to pay NABCo trainees, School feeding caterers, service personnel, the 3-year no-textbooks-syndrome, etc.
“This gross lack of priority cannot be pleasing to the compassionate God we all serve. It is also important to stress that this manifestly insensitive conduct is without parliamentary approval — we shall be demanding urgent answers in Parliament.”
SOURCE: Coverghana.com.gh
