National Cathedral Saga Sue Prez Akufo Addo For Causing Financial Loss To The State Or Prof Gyampo Fumes

Political Science lecturer at the University of Ghana, Legon, Professor Ransford Gyampo, has called for the head of President Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo for causing financial loss to the state or forfeit his ex-gratia gratuity.

According to the Professor Gyampo, Nana Akufo Addo must be charged for causing financial loss to the state in relation to the national Cathedral [project, which has been described by the opposition and some section of the Ghanaian populace as the biggest hole in the world.

He added that, it is expedient to freeze the President’s ex-gratia if he cannot be held responsible for the financial loss incurred as a result of the National Cathedral.

The astute political science lecturer and revered statesman posited that, someone must be held accountable for the consequences of investing a huge sum of funds belonging to the Ghanaian citizens into a project that has not seen the light of day.

Professor Gyampo made this call on Tuesday’s Key Point programme on Saturday, July, 27, monitored by .

Prof Gyampo said “For the National Cathedral, I think that somebody must be sued for causing financial loss to the state. President Akufo-Addo himself must suffer some consequences.

“If it is possible, let us freeze his gratuity to be used in paying for the covering of the cathedral. If that is not enough then we sue him for having caused financial loss to the state.”

It was revealed in the floor of parliament on Wednesday July 3, 2024 that the government has expended GHC 339 million since the inception of the project till its current state.

The minister of State at the Ministry of Finance, Abena Ose-Asare, said, “The total releases made for the National Cathedral by the government to date remain at GHcent;339 million. This figure comprises GHcent;225 million paid to the National Cathedral Secretariat, and GHcent;113 million paid directly to the project consultant.

“There was a value-for-money audit done on the project in 2021. Also, a statutory audit of the National Cathedral of Ghana accounts by Deloitte Ghana was started in July 2023 and is ongoing.

“Auditors had concluded the audit of the 18-month account ended December 31, 2020. Meanwhile, preparations are in place for the auditors to complete the remaining accounts for the periods ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023.”

The idea of a national cathedral has been fought by many Ghanaians, with some describing it as a personal promise made by President Akufo Addo to God.

Its construction has provoked discussions about a myriad of viewpoints. While some call for the dissolution of the board of trustees, others also think the idea behind constructing has been foiled, hence, the entire project should be withheld.  

Kobina Darlington/