Akufo Addo Must Pay Back $58 Million Used for National Cathedral - Ablakwa

North Tongu Member of Parliament Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has said that the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral project were misled by the president and as such are not liable for conviction. He argues that the president must take the full blame. 

Ablakwa said on TV3, "President Akufo-Addo must be made to pay the compensation claims, refund $58 million and cover the hole. The eminent clergymen were deceived by Akufo-Addo, everything begins and ends at the doorstep of Akufo-Addo.

“The eminent clergymen have served well and distinguished themselves but here we are, they are faced with possible prosecution. President Akufo-Addo is the one who must be made to pay for this mess”.

Ablakwa further stated that the continuous payment of salaries to the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral project must stop immediately.

He questioned why salaries were being paid to the Board when the project had stalled for over 30 months.

“The continuous payment for salary to the National Cathedral Board must stop. I don’t expect them to see their November salary. A project which has come to a halt for 38 months and the board is receiving a salary?” he said.

Background 

The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) had called for the cancellation of the construction of the National Cathedral by Ribade Company Ltd. The report emerged after Mr Ablakwa, on January 16, 2023, petitioned the Commission to investigate the state funds paid to JNS Talent Centre Ltd by the Controller and Accountant General Department and the National Cathedral of Ghana.