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A Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mark Okraku-Mantey is looking forward the opportunity to speak to development on the construction of the National Cathedral.
According to him, he has a strong opinion on the project which he is anxious to share with the Ghanaian populace as a Minister and a citizen
The Deputy Minister who is on a working visit in the Ashanti Region bemoaned how he has been denied by the media to express his opinion on President Akufo-Addo’s vision to construct a National Cathedral.
“I wish the media allow me to also comment on the National Cathedral project, which is the President’s vision. I’d love to talk about the President’s vision, but to no avail. If I should tell you my stance as a Minister, I voted for Nana Akufo-Addo to become President because of his vision, so if his vision is to build a National Cathedral, why are we not supporting it?
“I’ve more to add, but the media has not given their platform to do so. I’m yarning for the opportunity “, Hon. Mark Okraku Mantey on Kumasi-based Otec FM in an interview stated.
About the National Cathedral project
In May 2022, the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, announced that an amount of US$25 million had been released to enable the project consultants to undertake certain aspects of the construction of the National Cathedral.
The project, since its announcement, has courted widespread controversies, condemnations, and backlash from the Ghanaian public, CSOs, and lawmakers.
But the finance minister said the amount which was tagged as “seed money” was paid in November 2020, to the project consultants.
Ken Ofori-Atta was subsequently hauled before parliament by the Minority caucus under seven grounds of a censure motion against him.
Under these grounds, the National Cathedral project was key in the motion filed.
Meanwhile, the recently published 2021 Auditor-General’s report discovered that a total of GH¢142,762,500 from the national coffers was spent on the Ghana National Cathedral project in 2021.
This particular expenditure was, however, captured under the government’s priority programs and interventions for the year under review.
Source: Ghanatodayonline.com/Kwabena Danso-Dapaah
