Executive Director of the National Cathedral Secretariat, Dr. Paul Opoku-Mensah has refuted claims that the construction of the project is entangled with corruption and criminality.
He insisted that there was no evidence of criminality or corruption in the cathedral project as speculated.
Nonetheless, the beginning of the construction of the national cathedral has faced heavy disapproval from the public, as some individuals believe that the government has not been open to the general public with the funds allocated for the facility’s construction.
Dr. Opoku-Mensah, Executive Director of the National Cathedral Secretariat addressing the media, emphasized that all expenditures related to the construction of the cathedral have been disclosed on the floor of Parliament.
“The idea that a project of this nature would not want to be accountable, I cannot understand it, I cannot fathom it. This audit notwithstanding, I want to state categorically that there’s no criminality. We have implemented the project with integrity, including accounting for all the funds from the state to the National Cathedral Project.”
Dr. Paul Opoku-Mensah further pointed out that despite a temporary construction delay, the National Cathedral project remains very active.
“We have repeated this, and we will repeat it; there’s no criminality in the National Cathedral Project. We have accounted for every penny that we have been given by the state and donors. This accounting is submitted to Parliament; sometimes it’s being misused, but we have submitted everything to Parliament.”
The Executive Director of the Board further assures Ghanaians that work is going on to bring in historical artworks for the cathedral’s intended museum and outdoor layout.
“There have been issues that the project has been suspended, but it hasn’t. Construction has stalled, but the National Cathedral is almost an institution; it’s going to be one of the largest institutions, so the work continues daily. In addition to funding, we are already engaging with those who can provide us with artifacts. Because if you want to turn it into a world-class site, you need historical artifacts,” the Executive Director of the National Cathedral Secretariat assured.
However, Ghanaians have still not accepted all the reassurance as the recent resignation of the Founder and General Overseer of United Denominations of Action Chapel Churches Worldwide, Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams, and President of the Eastwood Anaba Ministries, Rev. Eastwood Anaba, resigned from the Board of Trustees overseeing the construction of the National Cathedral in Ghana on October 12 which has stirred deeper waters as the conversation on the national cathedral remains a touchy and controversial subject in Ghana.
The National Cathedral of Ghana is a planned interdenominational Christian cathedral scheduled to be built in Accra, the nation’s capital, as part of Ghana’s 60th anniversary celebration.
The $400m state-funded church follows a promise President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo made to God.
“I made a pledge to almighty God that He was gracious enough to grant my party, the NPP, and I victory in the 2016 elections after two unsuccessful attempts, so I will help build a cathedral to his glory and honour,” President Nana Akufo-Addo said at the sod-cutting ceremony in 2020.
“The interdenominational national cathedral will help unify the Christian community and thereby help promote national unity and social cohesion,” he said.
By: Edem Etsa Dorvlo | Metrotvonline.com | Ghana
