Professor Ransford Gyampo, a political science lecturer at the University of Ghana, has proposed a radical approach to recover the funds spent on the National Cathedral’s land acquisition.
Speaking on an Accra-based TV, Prof. Gyampo suggested that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo should face financial repercussions for his involvement in the project.
Prof. Gyampo argued that the government should freeze Akufo-Addo’s ex-gratia payments and use these funds to address the financial losses incurred from the cathedral’s construction.
He contends that President Akufo-Addo, along with other officials involved, should be held accountable, possibly even facing legal action for the financial damage caused to the state.
Though Gyampo admits uncertainty about the legality of his proposal, he insists that there should be accountability for the substantial sums already expended on the National Cathedral project. He also supports the idea of pursuing legal action against Akufo-Addo and his appointees if necessary.
In related news, Abena Osei Asare, Minister of State at the Finance Ministry, revealed that the government has invested GH¢339 million in the cathedral’s construction.
She detailed that this amount includes GH¢225 million paid to the National Cathedral Secretariat and GH¢113 million to the project consultant.
The National Cathedral’s financial accounts are currently undergoing an audit by Deloitte Ghana, which started in July 2023.
The audit will cover the financial periods up to the end of 2023, following an earlier audit of the 18-month account ending December 31, 2020. The project has faced delays and challenges, leading to a suspension in construction.
