President John Dramani Mahama has disclosed that a forensic audit into expenditure of almost US$90 million on the National Cathedral project has been completed and submitted to the Attorney General.
He said the audit report would be made available to the Christian Council to promote transparency and allow for any necessary corrective action.
President Mahama made the disclosure during a question-and-answer session at the University for Business and Integrated Development Studies (UBIDS) in the Upper West Region.
The President said his administration had largely honoured its commitment to continue projects and policies inherited from the previous government where they served the national interest.
He, however, maintained that the National Cathedral was an exception because, in his view, it was not a national policy but a personal pledge made by the former President.
President Mahama stressed that he had nothing against the construction of a National Cathedral but said he had concerns about its location, the demolition of public and other properties to clear the site, and the use of taxpayers’ money to finance the project.
He said several properties, including judges’ residences, diplomatic properties, the former Passport Office and other public buildings, had been demolished to make way for the project.
According to President Mahama, Christians in Ghana, together with development partners, should have been able to finance the project voluntarily rather than relying on public funds.
He cited the National Mosque as an example, saying it was constructed with support from a Turkish Muslim organisation rather than through government financing.
The President said the completed forensic audit had been forwarded to the Attorney General and would be made available to the Christian Council.
He said the release of the report would support transparency and provide an opportunity for the appropriate corrective measures to be taken.
President Mahama also reminded Ghanaians that the Constitution contains provisions requiring successive governments to continue beneficial national policies and programmes.
He stressed, however, that the effective continuity of government ultimately depends on political leaders respecting the Constitution and acting in the national interest.
Story by: Emmanuel Romeo Tetteh(#RomeoWrites✍️)/ Presidential Affairs Correspondent | Ghana 🇬🇭
