The former Information and Works and Housing Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah has explained why he did not comment on the issues surrounding the National Cathedral.
According to Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, he did not have information on the National Cathedral during his time as the information minister.
Speaking in an interview on YFM, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah stated, “The point is that if you had the answer, you would have given it to me easily, the challenge sometimes is that if you are the spokesperson or information minister you must first have the information to make it available”.
Number two even when somebody calls you and says, the government is buying this iPhone for all ministers a smart information minister will ask questions, how much is it, why are we not buying.., if you are not getting the answers you know the public will ask you, you have not been fully briefed to go out there, it is not that you are refusing to answer or provide information or you are distant, you don’t have the information if you don’t have the information”, he added.
Kojo Oppong Nkrumah further reiterated, “I’m a lawyer, in law, we have an expression we say, you cannot give what you don’t have, that is the challenge sometimes”.
Meanwhile, Dr Stephen Amoah, a former deputy Finance Minister has boldly stated even though he is a member of the NPP, the money used for the National Cathedral must be investigated.
According to Stephen Amoah, he is not against the cathedral because he is a Christian.
He asserted that he is with those who are raising concerns about how much has gone into our foundation.
Speaking on Joy News AM on Thursday, Dr Amoah stated, “Honestly, I am not against the cathedral because I am a Christian, but I am with those who are raising concerns about how much has gone into our foundation”.
“I think that money should be investigated, and those raising concerns are right, even though I am an NPP member”, he added.
The former deputy minister added, “I personally think even the location is a problem. With the International Conference Centre and Parliament nearby, they should have considered a different location,”
“Talking about the money in the Cathedral, it is a huge concern that I share with those who criticise it, and of course, we need to complete investigations on that”, he emphasised.
The National Cathedral project was initiated by the former Akufo-Addo government in 2017 but was mired in controversy due to its high cost, the source of funding, and allegations of embezzlement of funds by its Board of Trustees.
Nana Obiri Boahen a former Deputy General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has also admitted the National Cathedral was a waste of money.
According to Nana Obiri Boahen, former President Akufo-Addo got his priorities during his tenure wrong.
Nana Obiri Boahen asserted that Akufo-Addo wasted state funds for a cathedral while our railway sector was in a poor state.
Speaking in an interview on Neat FM on March 5, 2025, Nana Obiri Boahen stated, “How can you use state funds for a cathedral while our railway sector was in a poor state? The money he invested in the cathedral could have been used to revive the railway sector. There was no need for such a project”.
Obiri Boahen further revealed that criticisms were directed at him for opposing the National Cathedral project.
“I spoke against it, and they criticized me. But why would you use such funds on a wasteful project?” he quizzed.
Additionally, President John Dramani Mahama has questioned the $400m quoted by the former New Patriotic Party (NPP) government as the amount of money needed for the completion of the National Cathedral.
According to John Mahama, Nigeria built its National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja, which serves all Christian denominations in Nigeria at $30 million.
He asserted that Ghana can also complete the National Cathedral at a much more reasonable figure.
Speaking at a Christian National Prayer and Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, January 12, 2025, at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), John Mahama stated, “This project must be completed at a reasonable cost. Given the current circumstances Ghana is facing, it makes no sense to undertake such a project at a staggering sum of $400 million”.
“I am informed that the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja, which serves all Christian denominations in Nigeria, was built at a cost of $30 million. I believe we can achieve this project at a much more reasonable figure, and together, we can raise the necessary funds,” he added.
John Mahama further added, “On the future of the project, the Cathedral, I believe that all of us, as Christians, must forge a consensus on how to achieve this project without recourse to public funds”.
President Mahama has also revealed plans to investigate the National Cathedral Project which has been clouded with allegations of corruption and financial mismanagement.
Watch the video below:
Former Information and Works and Housing Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah refuses to comment on the issues surrounding the National Cathedral, giving the reason that he does not have information on the project. pic.twitter.com/UgHtWZtgYQ
— EDHUB🌍ℹ (@eddie_wrt) March 13, 2025
