National Cathedral Scandal: New Government Pledges to Recover '$58m Wasted Funds'
Ghana's incoming administration has vowed to recover millions of dollars allegedly misused on the National Cathedral project, a contentious initiative plagued by delays, controversies, and financial mismanagement allegations.
In an interview on Channel One TV on Tuesday, December 10, Joyce Bawa Mogtari, Special Aide to President-elect John Dramani Mahama, emphasized the new government's commitment to accountability and fiscal responsibility. She questioned the rationale behind spending $58 million on the project, citing a lack of tangible results.
Mogtari criticized the outgoing administration for hiding the true extent of expenditures. A comprehensive audit and investigation will be conducted to identify how funds were utilized and to hold those responsible for any malfeasance accountable.
The National Cathedral project, a product of the outgoing New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration, envisioned as a monumental Christian worship center and national symbol,sparked widespread public debate. Mogtari's statements underscore the incoming administration's determination to prioritize accountability and responsible governance.
The Special Aide expressed dismay over the apparent lack of transparency, stating that the government's expenditure of $58 million yielded little to show for it. She emphasized that recovering these resources would enable the new administration to allocate them more effectively.
“It is a history that we don’t want to remember too often. We want to ask what the money was used for who it went to and how. $58 million expended on that project is questionable and I am sure there is even more but because they are in government, they are hiding how much has been expended.
“How can you expend $58 million and have nothing to sure for it? There are a lot of things that we intend to do with that piece of land and I think that we should focus on recovering the resources and putting them to better use,'' she added.
Source: Lead News Online
