Ghana's Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has emphasized the need to complete the National Cathedral project, highlighting its potential beyond being a place of prayer. Speaking at a meeting with the Christian Council, Afenyo-Markin stressed that the project has economic prospects that could accrue revenue for the country through tourism, strengthen Ghana's international image, and serve as a unifying landmark. He argued that the cathedral's significance extends beyond the Christian community, benefiting all Ghanaians.
Afenyo-Markin drew a comparison with an old mosque in Türkiye, which attracts approximately 4,000 visitors daily due to its historical and architectural value. He suggested that a completed National Cathedral could become a significant tourist attraction, providing a common rallying point for the nation. The Effutu Member of Parliament accused the incumbent government of inconsistency in its commitment to resuming work on the project, citing a lack of clarity on the project's future.
The government had given the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral of Ghana a six-week ultimatum to formally hand over the project site to the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs. The directive, contained in a letter dated September 18, was signed by the Minister for Local Government, acting on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama. The Ministry stated that handing over the site would allow it to determine the project's future.
Earlier this year, President John Dramani Mahama tasked Deloitte Touche with conducting an independent audit of the National Cathedral project. The report, covering activities from December 2021 to December 2023, identified procurement breaches, unsupported expenditures, and governance lapses. The audit revealed that the Secretariat spent 18,500 Ghana cedis on the expenses of one Kharis Psalmist, but failed to document the full cost in its records.
The audit report disclosed that only 4,976.00 Ghana Cedis was recorded in the books, with no documentation accounting for the remaining 13,524.00 Ghana Cedis. This irregularity led President John Dramani Mahama to instruct the Attorney-General to initiate legal processes for the revocation of the board's mandate. The National Cathedral Ghana was registered as a company limited by guarantee.
Afenyo-Markin urged stakeholders to engage in wider consultations to decide the next steps for the National Cathedral. He emphasized that the project's completion would not only benefit the Christian community but also the entire nation. The Minority Leader's comments come amid ongoing debates about the project's future and its potential impact on Ghana's economy and international image.
The National Cathedral project has been a subject of controversy, with concerns raised about its cost, funding, and management. Despite these challenges, Afenyo-Markin remains committed to seeing the project through to completion, citing its potential to promote tourism, strengthen Ghana's international image, and serve as a unifying landmark for the country.
Key points
- The Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, emphasizes the need to complete the National Cathedral project, highlighting its tourism and economic potential.
- An independent audit of the project identified procurement breaches, unsupported expenditures, and governance lapses.
- The project's completion could benefit all Ghanaians, becoming a significant tourist attraction and providing a common rallying point for the nation.
