The 2024 flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama has criticised the allocation of $450 million towards the National Cathedral project while challenges in the education sector remain unaddressed, stating that it will not receive God's approval.
The former President argues that the project, considered as a personal commitment by President Nana Akufo-Addo to God, should be funded by individuals who align with its vision.
He made these remarks during a gathering with religious leaders in Wa as part of the "Building Ghana Tour" in the Upper West Region.
"The President said that he made a pledge to God that if he won the election he would build a Cathedral for him. So it is his personal pledge and if he wants to build it, he must gather people who support that conviction to build that. And we were told that public funds were not going to be used for the Cathedral", he said.
The former President also rebuked the government for relying on public funds to finance the project.
"But eventually, we found that the Minister of Finance was releasing public taxes. We can't use public funds including the funds of people of other denominations to build a Cathedral for Christians alone", he added.
"So far, 58 million dollars of public funds have been spent just to dig a deep hole and you have to ask yourself is it justified in this day and age when children don't have desks in schools when children do not have textbooks?", he added.
The former President believes it would have been more prudent to allocate the funds earmarked for the cathedral project towards supporting education, especially considering the government's expenditure on consultancy services and other expenses for the project.
"For five years, we have not provided our basic schools with textbooks even though we have come out with a new curriculum because we say there is no money, and you say we should use 450 million dollars to build a Cathedral, even God will be angry with us," he concluded.
Latest Stories
-
Yvonne Nelson informs IGP of upcoming Dumsor protest, proposes May 25
35 mins -
NDC group in South Africa commends African countries for upholding democracy
51 mins -
GJA lifts media blackout on Yendi MP Farouk Aliu Mahama
55 mins -
Do you want to become the EC? – Nana B asks NDC over missing BVRs saga
1 hour -
I almost regretted sharing videos – Real Warri Pikin on backlash after weight loss surgery
1 hour -
Recording BVR kit serial numbers will help trace and match data – NDC justifies demand from EC
2 hours -
Real Warri Pikin reveals she had to refund contractual fees due to ill-health
2 hours -
Book prices to go up by 60% in September due to escalating taxes – GNAAP announces
2 hours -
Lack of toilet forces suspect to defecate on himself at Bole magistrate court
2 hours -
Otumfuo@25: Golden Stool to be on display at grand durbar of Asantehene’s silver jubilee
2 hours -
‘Magnificent’ Kumasi International Airport ready for commissioning
2 hours -
Cocoa beverage reduces BP, hypertension in older adults – KNUST research
2 hours -
Over 1,300 die yearly from drowning; septic tanks major child-killer – KNUST study reveals
3 hours -
Hearts of Oak lineup like army; every player in the squad can come in – Aboubakar Ouattara
3 hours -
Puzuri Group partners with NSS to drive agricultural innovation and youth employment
3 hours