Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Chairperson of the newly established Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) team, has established the need to prioritise investigations into the controversial National Cathedral in its work.
The project has generated national debate since its inception with the amount of money being wasted on it becoming the issue of contention by many Ghanaians who feel the money could have been used for other important things.
According to Ablakwa, inclusion of the National Cathedral in the ORAL’s work is non-negotiable due to its substantial public interest and the controversy it has generated over the years.
He says the team’s failure to include the National Cathedral in its work would be “a betrayal of the country”.
“This is a glaring matter. With all the enormous public interest and how much of our resources—over $58 million—has gone into this project, it would be unthinkable not to investigate it.
“This does not even include the private donations or the compensation paid to those whose properties were demolished,” he said on JoyNews Wednesday, December 18, 2024.
The National Cathedral project, which was initiated by the outgoing Akufo-Addo administration, has been mired in controversy, with critics labelling it a misuse of public funds.
The Minority in Parliament has described it as “the most expensive pit” in Ghana’s history, pointing to the lack of tangible progress despite significant financial outlays.
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The legislator whose oversight responsibilities have uncovered several corruption scandals in the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia administration also indicated that the team’s work on the project will be a build-up on the report by the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ).
“CHRAJ has already written to the Attorney General and the Office of Special Prosecutor, attaching their findings on the matter. Our role will be to emphasize what has already been uncovered and go further,” he explained, establishing the need for a forensic audit.
“We need to follow the money. Let’s know where it all ended. Clearly, $58 million cannot be accounted for based on the work done on the ground,” the legislator said.
Ablakwa pointed to several figures and transactions on the project that warrant investigation.
“For instance, someone like Cary Summers in the United States is keeping $6 million of our money. David Adjaye has also been accused of inflationary pricing. How do we retrieve some of our money from these individuals and entities?” he queried.
“The rest of the funds—how were they spent? What did they pay for? These are questions that must be answered. Many Ghanaians are looking forward to closure on this matter,” he added.
Mr Ablakwa stated that the public’s demand for transparency and accountability was a driving force behind the ORAL Team’s commitment to investigating the National Cathedral.
“Ghanaians want closure. They want to know how their resources were used and whether those resources can be recovered. It is our responsibility to provide those answers,” he said.
He assured the public of the ORAL Team’s determination to do the necessary work.
“Rest assured, we will follow through. We will conduct the necessary audits and investigations to ensure that justice is served,” he affirmed.
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