Communications Director of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah has emphasized the government’s strong commitment to constructing the national cathedral, asserting that the project is progressing as planned.
His address comes after the opposition minority in parliament, spearheaded by MP for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa executed a mock inauguration of the incomplete National Cathedral on Ghana’s 67th Independence, March 6.
This act was intended to bring under scrutiny the government’s inability to finalize the project.
To critique government’s management of the cathedral’s construction, the NDC MPs, the likes of Sammy Gyamfi, Okudzeto Ablakwa, and Sam George among others joined in the symbolic sod-cutting ceremony at the entrance of the incomplete cathedral, declaring the project inaugurated on behalf of the President Akufo-Addo, Dr Bawumia and Ken Ofori-Atta.
According to statements made by outgone Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta in the 2021 budget speech in parliament, the project was initially promised to be ready for this year’s 6th March proceedings.
Speaking to the media, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa highlighted that, notwithstanding the expenditure of more than $50 million of the public’s funds on the cathedral venture, the site now showcases nothing more than a large excavation.
During the event, security personnel initially prevented the opposition MPs from accessing the construction site and delivering a statement.
Meanwhile, despite the backlash from the opposition NDC on the project, Ahiagbah remains confident in the project, stating, “The national cathedral project is a continuous process. Every significant project starts with laying its foundation before progressing to the next stages of construction.”
He further clarified that the present phase of the project involves foundational work, a necessary step in any large-scale construction endeavour.
Ahiagbah further highlighted that the structure will come to fruition in time and that the project’s development has no indication of inefficiency or mismanagement.
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Source: Comfort Sweety Hayford/ATLFMNEWS
