The Member of Parliament for North Tongu Constituency, Honorable Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has uncovered new details about a substantial payment made to Sir David Adjaye, the lead architect behind President Akufo-Addo’s controversial National Cathedral project.
According to Ablakwa, intercepted payment vouchers show that on February 18, 2021, Adjaye was paid a staggering GHS32.07 million merely for overseeing bid openings and interviewing contractors involved in the project.
Ablakwa, who has been a vocal critic of the National Cathedral, described the payment as excessive and unjustifiable.
He expressed deep concern over the apparent lack of financial prudence and accountability in the project’s execution.
“Architects of considerable renown and project management experts I have engaged are in total shock,” Ablakwa remarked, underscoring the disbelief and outrage shared by professionals in the field.
The North Tongu MP, known for his relentless advocacy against corruption and state capture, pointed to this latest revelation as yet another example of what he deems “blatant corruption and reckless dissipation of state resources.”
Calls for Accountability
The Chairman of the Assurance Committe of Parliament did not mince words in predicting a day of reckoning after the upcoming December 2024 general elections, where he expects the people of Ghana to hold the current administration accountable for what he calls the “National Cathedral heist.”
Ablakwa further aligned himself with the National Democratic Congress flagbearer, former President John Dramani Mahama’s stance on corruption, particularly his commitment to addressing financial mismanagement in the public sector.
He emphasized that eliminating such rampant corruption would create the fiscal space necessary to implement the National Democratic Congress’s (NDC) proposed No-Fees-Stress Policy, which aims to cover admission fees for first-year tertiary students.
“This is another reason why I am in absolute agreement with incoming President John Mahama that if we deal ruthlessly with blatant corruption and reckless dissipation of state resources, we can comfortably fund the NDC’s No-Fees-Stress Policy”.
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, MP for North Tongu Constituency
He concluded his remarks with a resolute pledge to continue his fight against corruption and state capture, vowing that these forces “shall surely be defeated” for the greater good of the country.
Ablakwa’s latest exposé adds to the growing scrutiny and criticism surrounding the National Cathedral project, which has been marred by controversies over its funding, procurement processes, and overall transparency.
“For God and Country. Ghana First,” Ablakwa affirmed, reiterating his unwavering commitment to the nation’s well-being and the pursuit of justice for all Ghanaians.
The National Cathedral project, initiated by President Akufo-Addo, has sparked significant public outrage since its inception.
Critics argue that the project, estimated to cost over $400 million, is an unnecessary expenditure given Ghana’s pressing economic challenges, including high public debt, unemployment, and underfunded social services.
Concerns have also been raised about the lack of transparency, the use of state resources, and the displacement of residents for the construction.
The controversy has been further fueled by the government’s perceived prioritization of the cathedral over more urgent national needs, leading to widespread discontent.
In August 2023, Parliament set up a committee to investigate the National Cathedral project and conduct an inquiry into all related matters and make appropriate recommendations for consideration by the House.
Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, together with five other minority members, filed a private member’s motion demanding a probe into the stalled project despite the injection of about $58 million into the facility.
Second Deputy Speaker, Honorable Andrew Amoako Asiamah, adopting the motion for onward action by the leadership of the House, revealed that the motion is a very important one and urged the House to approve the motion under order 919”.
He explained that Order 919 provides that the House at any time by motion appoint a special or Ad hoc committee to investigate any matter of public importance.
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