The Minority in Parliament has urged the government to publicly disclose the complete value-for-money audit report on the National Cathedral project, as allegedly conducted, to ensure transparency and accountability in the utilization of public funds.
This comes after Minister of State at the Finance Ministry, Abena Osei Asare revealed that a value-for-money audit was conducted before funding the National Cathedral project.
The MP for North Tongu, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, emphatically demanded the release of the complete audit report, insisting that the government’s claim of conducting a value-for-money audit must be substantiated with tangible evidence.
“All these claims that they have a value for money report, if that report exists what you do is that you bring that report to the house so that we can peruse the document. It wasn’t brought to us. We are demanding for those documents. What we are also calling for is a probe”.
Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
He highlighted that the National Cathedral project has uncovered a plethora of issues, including inflated pricing, procurement irregularities, and other damning revelations, likening the project to a “can of worms” that continues to reveal more problems the deeper it’s scrutinized.
He further alleged that the National Cathedral project has been plagued by a wide range of controversies, including unconstitutional actions, conflict of interest, identity fraud, and the destruction of properties, hinting at a comprehensive governance failure.
“It is a whole mess that one parliamentary question cannot resolve”. – Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
Hon. Ablakwa emphasized that a comprehensive parliamentary inquiry is essential to scrutinize the entire National Cathedral project, leaving no stone unturned, to uncover the truth and ensure accountability.
He pointed out that despite the substantial investment, the project has failed to make meaningful headway and has effectively ground to a halt, with little progress to show for the significant funds allocated to it.
Ablakwa Condemns The National Cathedral Project
Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the North Tongu MP, condemned the National Cathedral project, describing the deals surrounding it as opaque, tainted by corruption, and reeking of dishonesty, implying a lack of transparency and potential malfeasance.
Hon. Ablakwa lamented the absence of transparency and proper accountability in the management of the National Cathedral project, suggesting that the handling of funds and resources has been shrouded in secrecy, lacking the necessary scrutiny and oversight.
“The National Cathedral project continues to be very hazy, sleazy, and totally corrupt. A project with massive diversions and lack of accountability in a very grave manner”.
Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
He criticized the Minister for failing to confirm whether the project followed proper procurement procedures before receiving GH¢339 million in funding.
Furthermore, Hon. Ablakwa dismissed the minister’s claims of value for money as unsubstantiated, suggesting that the project’s expenditures were not justified by its outcomes.
He accused the Minister of making statements that contradicted the former Finance Minister’s admission that the National Cathedral project was not budgeted for and that funds were instead withdrawn from the contingency fund.
“So, why are they shifting the goalpost? Why are they presenting us with different stories”. – Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
Meanwhile, the National Cathedral project, which has been stalled for a while, has already consumed a staggering GH¢339 million in government funds, with little progress to show for it.
Abena Osei Asare, Minister of State at the Finance Ministry, revealed that the National Cathedral’s financial records are currently undergoing a thorough audit, implying that the government is scrutinizing the project’s expenditures and financial management.
“The total releases made for the National Cathedral by the government to date remain at GH¢339 million. This figure comprises GH¢225 million paid to the National Cathedral Secretariat, and GH¢113 million paid directly to the project consultant”.
Abena Osei Asare
