National Cathedral: Minority Demands Release of Full Audit Report Accra, Ghana – The Minority Caucus in Ghana’s Parliament has called on the government to immediately release the full report of the value-for-money audit conducted on the controversial National Cathedral project. The demand comes amid growing concerns over the project’s transparency, accountability, and potential misuse of public funds. The government has faced accusations that the project, which is being funded by the state, is an unnecessary extravagance and a waste of taxpayers’ money. According to the Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu, the government’s selective release of excerpts from the audit report has raised suspicions and cast doubt on its credibility. He argued that the public has a right to know the full contents of the report, as it is a matter of national importance. “The government’s refusal to release the full audit report is a clear indication that they have something to hide,” Iddrisu stated. “We demand immediate full disclosure of the report, so that Ghanaians can see for themselves whether this project is worth pursuing.” The Minority also questioned the government’s decision to conduct the audit internally, rather than engage an independent firm. They expressed concerns that the internal audit process could be compromised and might not provide an unbiased assessment of the project. The government has defended its position, stating that the audit was conducted in line with established procedures and that it has no intention of suppressing its findings. However, the Minority’s continued pressure is expected to intensify the debate over the project’s transparency and accountability. The National Cathedral project has been a subject of intense political and public scrutiny since its inception. Critics argue that the project is a misplaced priority and that the funds could be better spent on other pressing needs such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure development. The government has maintained that the cathedral is a symbol of national unity and spiritual upliftment. It has also denied allegations of corruption and mismanagement of funds.Minority Demands Publication of National Cathedral Audit ReportMinority Demands Publication of National Cathedral Audit Report The minority caucus in Ghana’s Parliament has urged the government to release the full report of an alleged economic value audit conducted on the controversial National Cathedral project. In response to inquiries in Parliament, Minister of State for Finance Abena Osei Asare revealed that the government had conducted a value for money audit before releasing funds for the stalled project. According to Asare, 339 million Ghana cedis has been disbursed to date. However, North Tongu MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has expressed skepticism and demanded the audit report for further scrutiny. He emphasized that the project has been marred by allegations of inflated prices, contract breaches, constitutional violations, and conflicts of interest. Ablakwa called for a comprehensive parliamentary inquiry to investigate the entire project, citing a “Pandora’s box” of controversies that have plagued the initiative since its inception in 2020. The construction of the National Cathedral has sparked debates over its necessity, timing, and the lack of transparency in the handling of allocated funds. The opposition National Democratic Congress has been particularly vocal in raising concerns about the project’s financial management. The minority’s demands for the publication of the audit report underscore the ongoing controversy surrounding the National Cathedral project and the need for greater transparency and accountability in its execution.The Minority in Parliament is demanding the release of the full report of the value for money audit on the National Cathedral project. The demand was made in a statement issued on Thursday, July 27, 2023. The Minority said it has become imperative for the government to release the full report to ensure transparency and accountability in the handling of public funds. “The Minority is deeply concerned about the lack of accountability and transparency in the construction of the National Cathedral,” the statement said. “We believe that the full report of the value for money audit should be made public to enable Ghanaians to know the true cost of the project and the extent to which public funds have been used efficiently.” The Minority also urged the government to take steps to address the concerns raised in the audit report. “The government must take immediate steps to address the concerns raised in the audit report and ensure that public funds are used judiciously,” the statement said. The National Cathedral project has been embroiled in controversy since its inception. Critics have questioned the need for the project and the cost involved. The government has defended the project, saying it is a necessary investment in the country’s infrastructure.