Construction work on the National Cathedral has reportedly stalled for the past three months.

JoyNews sources disclosed that there is currently no work ongoing at the site. This came to light during a visit to the project site on Monday, June 13.

The visit indicated that the site has been excavated and work is still at the foundation level.

The team also spotted building materials such as pavement blocks and iron rods at the site, together with two huge cranes.

Three security personnel manning the entrance of the site initially prevented the team from entering. After several hesitations, the team was allowed to enter but was not permitted to take videos or pictures of the site.

They were led by one of the workers at the site to the administrative office of the project.

The alleged lull in work on the site seems to corroborate the allegation by North Tongu MP, Okudzeto Ablakwa that project contractors had suspended work on the site since March, due to lack of funds.

“The Akufo-Addo Cathedral Scandal gets murkier: Project contractors had to suspend work since March, because of lack of funds. Appointments of more than 200 employees terminated (see evidence attached). They are all shocked at GHS200million revelations,” Ablakwa tweeted on June 9.

The Akufo-Addo Cathedral Scandal gets murkier:

Project contractors had to suspend work since March because of lack of funds.

Appointments of more than 200 employees terminated (see evidence attached).

They are all shocked at GHS200million revelations.

Na sika no akɔ hyɛ hen? pic.twitter.com/DUTv6mSciv

— Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa (@S_OkudzetoAblak) June 9, 2022

At the site, JoyNews’ sources showed a letter to the team from one of the contractors which indicated the termination of the contract with one of its employees.

“Due to the lack of payment from the National Cathedral of Ghana, which has resulted in the process being suspended, Ribade Company Limited are required under the contract to mitigate costs. In compliance with such an obligation under the contract, Ribade Company Limited has no option but to issue this letter of notice terminating agreement between Ribade Company Limited and you as per the provisions of your employment agreement.

“The notice of termination takes effect from the 14th of March, 2022. You are therefore requested to hand in all properties belonging to the company in your possession to the HR office by the close of work on the same day,” the letter, which was signed by the Project Manager, Grant Ramsay, read.

 JoyNews’ visit also revealed that the only work which was ongoing was administrative.

There were also four pick-up vehicles owned by Ribade Company Limited parked on the site with the workers inside.

The Project was initially designed to cost $100 million but the Finance Ministry now says it will cost $350 million.

For the past one week, the North Tongu MP has accused government of siphoning public funds to facilitate a project it propagated as a personal and private pledge.

https://www.myjoyonline.com/finance-minister-released-%c2%a2142m-in-2020-for-national-cathedral-planned-activities-ablakwa-claims/

So far, the North Tongu MP has put out documents showing that an amount to the tune of GHC200 million has been dished out for the construction of the project.

These monies, he said, were dished out without recourse to parliamentary processes or strict public procurement practices.

On Sunday, Okudzeto Ablakwa alleged that Founder of the International Central Gospel Church (ICGC), Dr Mensa Otabil, has stopped attending meetings of the National Cathedral Board of Trustees.

Speaking on JoyNews’ The Probe, on Sunday, Mr. Ablakwa asserted that the desertion by the theologian is due to the illegality being perpetrated by the Akufo-Addo government with respect to the project.

“There is quite an uneasy calm among the Board of Trustees. And I can confirm to you that one imminent priest has walked away from the Board; the revered Dr Mensa Otabil is no longer with them.

“The whole year, he has not attended any of their meetings. It is not clear what his intention was, but he has given indication that all is not well,” he told host Emefa Apawu on Sunday, June 12.

Subsequently, Joy News checks on the National Cathedral’s website as of Wednesday, June 15, confirmed he is no longer part of the Trustees.

https://www.myjoyonline.com/national-cathedral-board-of-trustees-membership-amended-to-reflect-mensa-otabils-exit/

Membership of the Board of Trustees for the National Cathedral on the site has since has been updated to reflect the exit of Dr. Mensa Otabil, the Founder of the International Central Gospel Church (ICGC).

It is unclear what might have necessitated his exit from the Board.

However, according to JoyNews sources, several attempts to get him to rescind his decision failed, leaving the Board with no choice but to amend the information on its website.