Bernard Allotey Jacobs, a social analyst and former Central Regional Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has slammed Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta for his remarks on the National Cathedral.
As resistance to the construction of the National Cathedral grows, with opponents urging the President to either cancel the project or fund it with his own money, Ghanaians are encouraged to support the President's vision for the Cathedral's completion.
The Scandal at the National Cathedral
Prior to the 2016 elections, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo assured Ghanaians that he had made a promise to God to build a Cathedral in His honor in exchange for success in the 2016 elections.
Following the President's prayer being answered, he was expected to follow through on his commitment by providing funding. Ghanaians had no idea that their money would be used to build this holy monument when he took on the project.
Most citizens were under the notion that the Cathedral was a personal vow until it was revealed that the government was directing part of taxpayers' money to build it, along with a request for everyone to contribute a quota to the project.
It is clear that the construction is now the duty of all people, and if the President's commitment is to be fulfilled, the taxpayer must accept the use of his or her money.
Perhaps it's no surprise that Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, a North Tongu Member of Parliament, declared as much in a social media post on Wednesday, June 8.
Approximately $200 million in "illegal" monies has been invested in the project thus far.
National Catheral will be repaid.
Over the weekend, the Finance Minister attempted to alleviate Ghanaians' concerns over probable waste of public monies.
According to him, the government would ensure that the funds invested in the project are repaid as soon as feasible after completion.
"Is it true that we are squandering money from the state's coffers?" Is that too much to ask since we've politicized the situation? Do we truly want to put an end to it? That is the question I will pose.
"As a Finance Minister, we are looking at resources and how much we put in there at any moment in time that is reasonable, and so as we speak, we are looking at resources."
On GTV's Talking Point, the Minister stated, "We have spent less than one-thousandth of our cost on that."
"I am extremely confident in obtaining money to be able to support this, and more significantly, if I look into the economics of it, I actually see an overwhelming capability that this will pay off," he continued. In most cases, I'm looking at an internal rate of return, so keep that in mind."
Ken's Replies to Allotey
Allotey Jacobs, speaking on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" show, requested Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta to "stop talking" about the project.
He feels it will be more smart if the administration consults with the public before deciding whether to suspend or continue the development.
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