Correspondence from the Eastern Region

New Patriotic Party (NPP) stalwart, Charles Owusu Juanah, has decried what he characterises as a calculated campaign of misinformation, distortion, and partisan mischief aimed at undermining the construction of the National Cathedral — a project envisioned as a spiritual monument for the nation.

The legal practitioner has categorically dismissed all allegations of impropriety leveled against the National Cathedral Board of Trustees.

Addressing the media at the Ghana International Press Centre as a Christian and a concerned citizen of Ghana, on the theme, “Reaffirming the Integrity of the National Cathedral Project and its Committee Members,” Charles Owusu Juanah, asserted that despite being exempt from certain statutory obligations, the Board and Secretariat have voluntarily adhered to the highest standards of transparency and accountability in fulfillment of their sacred duty to the nation.

Outlining the measures undertaken by the Board to ensure transparency in the execution of its responsibilities, he asserted that, in addition to engaging the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) in its contractor selection process, the Board also sought a formal legal opinion from the Attorney General regarding donations from the Ministry of Finance.

He further noted that the Board submitted all pertinent documentation to Parliament in December 2022, expressing full openness to external audits or a commission of inquiry.

“These actions exemplify that the Board has not only operated within the confines of the law but has transcended legal obligations to uphold public trust,” he emphasised.

Moreover, he stated, “The legitimacy and autonomy of the National Cathedral Board of Trustees and its Secretariat are unimpeachable; grounded in law, guided by faith, and committed to national unity and spiritual renewal.”

He refuted claims that appointees of the Board were politically appointed, contending that its membership comprises esteemed Christian leaders from various denominations.

“They were not politically appointed, but invited based on moral authority, ecclesiastical leadership, and commitment to national unity,” asserted Lawyer Juanah.

To underscore its commitment to transparency, he revealed that the National Cathedral Board of Trustees engaged reputable audit firms, such as Deloitte & Touche, to conduct audits of its operations and voluntarily submitted documents to Parliament for scrutiny, adding that there is no legal basis warranting the dissolution of the Board.

“All GH¢225,962,500 received from the government has been accounted for and disbursed under valid contracts to Adjaye Associates, RIBADE (the main contractor), and the Nehemiah Group,” he noted.

Challenging any attempts by the executive to dissolve the Board, he cautioned: “There exists no legal foundation for any government official or President to unilaterally dissolve the Board of the National Cathedral. Any such endeavor constitutes executive overreach and threatens the constitutional principle of administrative integrity.”

He recounted former President Akufo-Addo’s provision of seed funding for the project and his establishment of an independent Board of Trustees to oversee its execution, a structure he noted was legally established under the Companies Act as a company limited by guarantee.

He also dismissed claims regarding a GH¢4.9 million discrepancy, asserting that it stemmed from an administrative reconciliation gap rather than any fraudulent activity.

Addressing the GH¢15.7 million disbursed to Adjaye &Associates prior to the Board’s inauguration, the legal practitioner clarified that the payment was authorized by the Presidency to facilitate the timely mobilization of design work and was lawful.

Other matters he addressed included the successful raising of over $400,000 through a registered not-for-profit entity, as well as elucidating that the GH¢2.6 million loan from JNS Talent Centre was an interest-free advance from a Board member, which has since been repaid in full within 12 days. He also disclosed that although the ADB MoMo platform raised over GH¢50 million, none of that amount had been transferred to the Board of Trustees.

Rallying support for this sacred endeavor, Lawyer Juanah urged Ghanaian Christians and churches worldwide to unite behind the completion of the Cathedral, asserting that silence in the face of political distortion would constitute a betrayal of faith.

“This is not the time to retreat. This is the time to stand, to build, to preserve the honour of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to ensure that future generations will know that when the moment came, the Church in Ghana did not falter.”

According to him, the project's governance remains legally autonomous, transparent, and accountable, adding that the architectural and museum designs are fully complete, a contractor has been appointed, land preparation is underway, and approximately eight percent of the construction has already been executed.

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