The Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tonga in the Volta Region, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has called for the immediate termination of the National Cathedral Contract to avoid further financial loss to the state. “According to him, the contract terms will compel payment for Extension of Time Claims, Standing Time Claims, Abortive & Re-Works Cost due to Main Contractor Suspension”.
Hon. Ablakwa made this demand at a press conference held at the entrance of the abandoned project after a hectic confrontation with the security personnel detailed to prevent Hon. Okudzeto Ablakwa and other Members of Parliament including the NDC National Communications Officer from entering the site to make the statement.
Among other personalities who accompanied Hon. Samuel Okudzeto include, MP for Odododiodio Constituency, Hon. Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye, Member of Parliament. Hon. Samuel Nartey George MP for Ningo-Prampram Constituency, Hon. Dzifa Abla Gomashie. MP for. Ketu South Constituency and the National Democratic Congress Communications Officer, Mr. Sammy Adu Gyamfi.
Hon. Ablakwa also requested for an explanation from President Akufo-Addo on why he has failed to fulfill his promise to God, to Parliament and to the sovereign Ghanaian people to complete and commission the US$450million (GHS5.7billion) “priority of priorities” the cathedral today, 6th of March 2024 .
He supported his submissions with a quotation from Malachi 3: 8 which says, “Will a man rob God? Yet yes have robbed me”.
Below is the full press statement:
AKUFO-ADDO’S CATHEDRAL COMMISSIONING DAY
MEDIA ENGAGEMENT AT THE WORLD’S MOST EXPENSIVE PIT
“Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me.”
– Malachi 3:8a
Demands
1. An explanation from President Akufo-Addo on why he failed to fulfill his promise to God, to Parliament and to the sovereign Ghanaian people — the promise to commission his US$450million (GHS5.7billion) “priority of priorities” cathedral today the 6th of March 2024;
2. Full accountability on what happened to our US$58,141,509.52 (GHS740million) why all we see here is the world’s most expensive pit and why the contractors, RIBADE JV abandoned the project for lack of payment l2 years ago;
3. A comprehensive report on how much it has cost the state to so far replace and compensate some owners of demolished properties, and how much is still outstanding considering that aggrieved demolished property owners such as Waterstone Realty have resorted to the courts. We note that the following properties were recklessly demolished on the orders of President Akufo-Addo: Bungalows for Judges, Judicial Training Institute, Passport Head Office, Scholarship Secretariat, Bungalows for CHRAJ, Waterstone Realty Luxury Apartment Complex, Headquarters of Comsys IT Firm and the Malian Ambassador’s Residence;
4. Contract must be immediately terminated to avoid further financial loss to the state. According to the contract, Ghana will have to pay Extension of Time Claims, Standing Time Claims, Abortive & Re-Works Cost due to Main Contractor Suspension; ,
5. Board of Trustees must be dissolved without delay;
6. National Cathedral Secretariat should be immediately closed. So far this secretariat has received GHS225,962,500. (Refer to organogram as attached)
7. Retrievals from the following persons:
David Adjaye — US$19.6million (GHS250million) Cary Summers — USS6million (GHS76million)
Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng/Kwabena Adu Gyamfi — GHS2.6million
8. Publication of the Deloitte audit which was promised on 24th January, 2023 — more than a year ago;
9. The NPP Caucus in Parliament should desist from sabotaging the impending Parliamentary Probe after a unanimous parliamentary resolution. The NPP’s unpatriotic conduct by deliberately delaying the submission of names of their members to the Rt. Hon. Speaker for the committee to commence work is most condemnable;
10. Appeal to CHRAJ to expedite action and publish the outcome of their investigations following my January 16, 2023 petition;
11, That the Board of Trustees and the National Cathedral Secretariat account for all private donations so far received, particularly their infamous US operations;
12. All those responsible for this gross financial loss to the state must be prosecuted with immediate effect;
13. We call for a national debate leading to a possible national consensus on what should happen to the world’s most expensive pit moving forward. Some have suggested a specialist children’s hospital which Ghana currently lacks, we also note that recently the Secretary-General of the TUC, Dr Anthony Yaw Baah TUC suggested the place be converted to a hospital.
