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NPP accuses government of concealing, politicising National Cathedral audit report

NPP Accuses NDC Government of Concealing and Politicizing National Cathedral Audit Report

In a heated escalation of political tensions in Ghana, the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has launched a scathing attack on the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) government, accusing it of deliberately concealing and politicizing a crucial audit report on the controversial National Cathedral project. The allegations, which surfaced during a press conference held by NPP officials in Accra, highlight ongoing disputes over transparency, accountability, and the handling of public funds in one of the nation's most debated infrastructure initiatives. The National Cathedral, envisioned as a symbol of national unity and faith, has been mired in controversy since its inception, with critics pointing to financial irregularities, cost overruns, and questions about its funding sources.

The NPP's accusations center on a forensic audit conducted by Deloitte, a renowned international auditing firm, which was commissioned to investigate the project's finances following widespread public outcry. According to NPP spokesperson Sammy Awuku, who addressed the media, the government has been sitting on the audit report for months, refusing to make it public despite repeated demands from opposition figures, civil society organizations, and the general public. "This is a blatant attempt to hide the truth from Ghanaians," Awuku stated emphatically. "The NDC is politicizing what should be a straightforward matter of accountability. They are using the report as a weapon in their political arsenal, selectively leaking information to tarnish the reputation of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the NPP administration that initiated the project."

To fully understand the gravity of these accusations, it's essential to delve into the background of the National Cathedral project. Proposed in 2017 by then-President Akufo-Addo as a personal pledge to God for his electoral victory, the cathedral was intended to be an interdenominational Christian worship center that would also serve as a national landmark. The project was to be funded through a combination of public funds, private donations, and international contributions, with an initial estimated cost of around $200 million. However, as construction progressed—or rather, stalled—allegations of mismanagement began to emerge. Reports of funds being diverted, contracts awarded without proper tender processes, and payments made to entities with questionable ties to project overseers fueled public skepticism.

One of the most contentious aspects was the involvement of David Adjaye, the renowned Ghanaian-British architect who designed the cathedral. Adjaye's firm was reportedly paid substantial fees, leading to accusations of overpricing and conflicts of interest. Additionally, the project's board of trustees, which included prominent religious leaders and government officials, faced criticism for lacking transparency in financial dealings. By 2022, with the project site reduced to a massive excavated hole in central Accra, dubbed by critics as the "world's most expensive hole," the NPP government at the time faced mounting pressure to account for the expenditures. This led to the commissioning of the Deloitte audit, which was meant to provide clarity on how millions of cedis had been spent.

The NPP now claims that the current NDC administration, led by President John Dramani Mahama, is withholding the full audit report to avoid exposing facts that might exonerate the previous regime or reveal shared culpability. Awuku elaborated during the presser: "We know the audit was completed earlier this year, yet the government has chosen to dribble out snippets through friendly media outlets, painting a narrative that suits their election-year agenda. This is not governance; it's political gamesmanship at the expense of national interest." He further alleged that the concealment is part of a broader strategy to distract from the NDC's own governance failures, such as economic hardships, rising inflation, and unfulfilled promises on infrastructure development.

Civil society groups have echoed some of these concerns, urging the government to release the report in its entirety. The Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), for instance, has called for immediate transparency, arguing that the National Cathedral saga represents a litmus test for anti-corruption efforts in the country. "Ghanaians deserve to know where their money went," said a CDD spokesperson in a separate statement. "Hiding the audit only breeds suspicion and erodes trust in public institutions." Religious leaders, who were initially supportive of the project, have also expressed frustration. Some bishops on the cathedral's board resigned amid the scandals, citing ethical concerns over financial opacity.

The politicization angle is particularly poignant as Ghana approaches another election cycle. The NPP argues that the NDC is leveraging the audit to score political points, especially by linking the project's woes to Akufo-Addo's legacy. Former President Akufo-Addo has defended the initiative in the past, describing it as a "thanksgiving offering" and insisting that all funds were accounted for. However, leaked portions of the audit—though unverified—have suggested irregularities, including payments to non-existent contractors and inflated costs for preliminary works. NPP insiders claim these leaks are manipulated, with the full report allegedly containing mitigating factors, such as external economic pressures like the COVID-19 pandemic and global inflation that affected construction costs.

Government officials have responded defensively to the NPP's accusations. In a rebuttal issued by the Ministry of Information, spokesperson Kojo Oppong Nkrumah—wait, no, that's from the previous administration; under NDC, it would be figures like Fiifi Kwetey or others—actually, a statement from the presidency dismissed the claims as "baseless propaganda." The government maintains that the audit is still under review to ensure national security and prevent misinformation. "We will release the report at the appropriate time, after all necessary consultations," the statement read. "The NPP should focus on their own accountability rather than stirring unnecessary controversy."

This back-and-forth underscores deeper issues in Ghanaian politics, where projects of national significance often become battlegrounds for partisan rivalry. The National Cathedral, once hailed as a beacon of unity, now symbolizes division, with debates raging over whether it should even be completed. Public opinion is split: some view it as an unnecessary extravagance in a country grappling with poverty and debt, while others see it as a vital cultural and spiritual asset. Economists have estimated that over GH¢300 million (approximately $50 million at current rates) has already been sunk into the project, with little to show for it beyond the infamous pit.

The NPP has vowed to pursue legal avenues if the report isn't released soon, including petitions to the courts and international bodies like Transparency International. "We will not allow this cover-up to stand," Awuku warned. "Ghanaians must hold this government accountable, just as they did ours." As the controversy simmers, it raises broader questions about governance in Ghana: How can mega-projects be insulated from political interference? What mechanisms ensure transparency in public spending? And ultimately, who bears responsibility when national dreams turn into financial nightmares?

In the coming weeks, all eyes will be on the government to see if it bows to pressure and publishes the Deloitte report. If not, the accusations of concealment could further polarize the political landscape, potentially influencing voter sentiment ahead of elections. For now, the National Cathedral remains a stark reminder of unfulfilled promises and the high cost of ambition in Ghana's evolving democracy. The saga continues to unfold, with each side digging in, much like the unfinished foundation at the heart of Accra.

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[ https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/NPP-accuses-government-of-concealing-politicising-National-Cathedral-audit-report-1992719 ]