President John Mahama government has officially dissolved the National Cathedral Secretariat, marking a dramatic reversal of its stance on the controversial National Cathedral project.
The initiative, originally conceived by former President Nana Akufo-Addo, aimed to establish a monumental Christian worship center that would serve as both a national religious symbol and a cultural landmark for the country.
However, the project has faced increasing scrutiny, particularly regarding allegations of financial mismanagement and corruption.
The National Cathedral, which was intended to be a symbol of Ghana’s religious heritage, has become embroiled in a series of controversies, especially related to its funding and execution.
Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the Minister of State in Charge of Government Communications, confirmed the dissolution of the National Cathedral Secretariat during an appearance on Channel One TV’s Face to Face programme.
He further emphasized the government’s shift in policy towards the project, revealing that the state would no longer allocate funds to the initiative.
“We will no longer provide funding for the National Cathedral project,” Kwakye Ofosu stated.
“This decision aligns with the position consistently upheld by President Mahama, who has made it clear that taxpayer money will not be used for the project going forward.”
The dissolution of the Secretariat comes after widespread public concern regarding the management of finances for the project.
Kwakye Ofosu noted that there were several unresolved issues tied to the procurement process and that the contractor had made demands for outstanding payments.
However, he criticized the lack of accountability, saying, “There are outstanding issues regarding the procurement processes, outstanding payments that the contractor is demanding, but nobody will answer because there is no National Cathedral.”
Addressing the financial burden on the nation, Kwakye Ofosu underscored the government’s determination not to further burden taxpayers with the project’s costs.
“It remains a worthless home. As a point of determination, a decision is going to be made, but what is certain is that President Mahama is not going to put GHS400 million of taxpayers’ money into that project,” he said, signaling the government’s firm stance on halting any further financial involvement.
This development marks a significant shift in the national discourse surrounding the National Cathedral, with the project’s future now hanging in the balance as the government navigates the complex issues surrounding its financial and logistical challenges.
The dissolution of the Secretariat effectively ends the government’s official support for the project, signaling the end of an era for the controversial initiative.
–BY Daniel Bampoe
