The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament for North Tongu Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa says the crusade to resist the construction of the National Cathedral has become part of campaign messages of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) going into the 2024 general elections.
In what seems to be an apparent clap back at the Director of Communication for the New Patriotic Party, Richard Ahiagbah, visibly worried North Tongu MP said the NDC’s stance aims to tackle what it perceives as wastefulness, resource diversion, corruption, mismanagement, and senseless expenditure associated with the project.
Post made on X formerly Twitter on Wednesday, March 7, 2024, by the Director of Communications of the NPP, Richard Ahiagbah urged the opposition NDC to reassess its campaign strategy and refrain from politicizing the National Cathedral project. This was after some MPs from the Minority led by North Tongu legislator Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, performed a satirical commissioning of the controversial National Cathedral on March 6, 2024.
Richard Abiagbah, in critiquing the Minority MPs, emphasized the importance of maintaining a constructive dialogue surrounding the National Cathedral project, while asking the NDC to find a message to campaign with and stop politicizing the National Cathedral project,
But Mr. Ablakwa in an interview with Metro TV, insisted the crusade against the National Cathedral’s construction underscores the NDC’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and accountability in governance.
He explained that by championing this cause, the party seeks to inform the voters about the efficient allocation of public funds and the prioritization of essential services over lavish projects. He said as the campaign gains momentum, it sets the stage for a spirited debate on national development priorities and the role of public spending in shaping the country’s future.
Mr. Ablakwa also assured that Ghanaians will not witness what he described as the wanton dissipation and misapplication of public fund under the next John Dramani Mahama and Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang’s government.
“This is part of our campaign message. That the wastefulness, diversion of resources, corruption, mismanagement, and the senseless expenditure stop”
“Under the John Mahama and Jane Opoku-Agyemang government you will not see this kind of madness, (this) kind of wastage. We will prioritize the people’s taxes. We will put their taxes to where it will be beneficial to their welfare. So, it is a major issue and we are not going to stop talking about it and we will not stop demanding accountability. And we are not going to stop asking for all those keeping our taxes wrongfully and illegally, to return our taxes to us” the North Tongu MP asserted.
Asked if there will be an end to the mission he is rallying other colleague members of parliament and Ghanaians to pursue, Mr. Ablakwa responded in negative, insisting that until all those who are wrongfully in the custody of the state’s resources return them into the public coffers, the minority will continue demanding accountability and judicious use of the country’s meagre resources.
“Imagine what we can do with 58.1 million dollars, at least our old folks will not be at home suffering from a financial haircut, they can have access to their life savings, pensioner bondholders can get their money back to buy medicines. At least our secondary school children will not be in school, eating all those kinds of foods you will not give to animals”
“If we had managed our economy well, if we didn’t throw many millions of dollars away, and those that have been used to demolish structures, all those monies could be available to do something meaningful. That’s why we are angry. That is why we will not stop this crusade until all those who are wrongfully in custody of our resources, return them to us,” he posited.
By: Bright Yao Dzakah | Metrotvonline.com | Ghana
