How to resolve AdBlock issue? Domelevo Calls for Protection of Public Purse Amid National Cathedral Controversy
Wednesday, 04 December 2024 | Ghana
Former Auditor General, Daniel Domelevo, has once again stressed the need for the protection of public funds, highlighting the importance of managing state finances in accordance with the country’s constitution. His remarks came in the wake of the ongoing controversy surrounding the National Cathedral project, which has raised concerns over the management of state funds.
The National Cathedral project, which involves a board of trustees predominantly composed of clergy members, has come under intense scrutiny. Domelevo, speaking on the matter, argued that public revenues should not be left in the hands of religious leaders, as theology and the Bible should not be the basis for managing public funds. He pointed out that the country’s constitution, alongside other laws such as the Public Procurement Act and the Internal Audit Act, provides clear frameworks for managing state resources.
This controversy has intensified following a recent recommendation by the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), which called for a forensic audit and possible prosecution of the trustees of the National Cathedral project. The recommendation followed an investigation into allegations of corruption and misuse of power within the project’s management.
Domelevo expressed his discontent with the current situation, stating that while the trustees are clergymen, they should be held accountable to the laws of the land rather than relying on religious beliefs to justify their actions. “Unfortunately, the trustees are all men of God, but let me say we don’t manage public funds with the Bible or theology; we manage public funds with the constitution,” he emphasized during a forum organized by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) on December 3 in Accra.
A report issued by CHRAJ on the National Cathedral project highlighted significant financial mismanagement, revealing that the board of trustees failed to account for GHC2.6 million. The commission’s findings also revealed that despite the cathedral being at the foundation stage, over GHC50 million had already been spent on the project, leading to concerns about the proper allocation of state resources.
The Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, had earlier petitioned CHRAJ, triggering the investigation into the matter. Domelevo urged for a transparent process to hold the board members accountable, emphasizing that the Bible would not protect them if they failed to comply with the country’s laws.
The National Cathedral project was initiated by President Nana Akufo-Addo as part of a promise to construct a facility that would honor God. However, the ongoing controversy over its financial management has led to mounting public pressure for transparency and accountability in the handling of state funds.
The National Cathedral project, which involves a board of trustees predominantly composed of clergy members, has come under intense scrutiny. Domelevo, speaking on the matter, argued that public revenues should not be left in the hands of religious leaders, as theology and the Bible should not be the basis for managing public funds. He pointed out that the country’s constitution, alongside other laws such as the Public Procurement Act and the Internal Audit Act, provides clear frameworks for managing state resources.
This controversy has intensified following a recent recommendation by the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), which called for a forensic audit and possible prosecution of the trustees of the National Cathedral project. The recommendation followed an investigation into allegations of corruption and misuse of power within the project’s management.
Domelevo expressed his discontent with the current situation, stating that while the trustees are clergymen, they should be held accountable to the laws of the land rather than relying on religious beliefs to justify their actions. “Unfortunately, the trustees are all men of God, but let me say we don’t manage public funds with the Bible or theology; we manage public funds with the constitution,” he emphasized during a forum organized by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) on December 3 in Accra.
A report issued by CHRAJ on the National Cathedral project highlighted significant financial mismanagement, revealing that the board of trustees failed to account for GHC2.6 million. The commission’s findings also revealed that despite the cathedral being at the foundation stage, over GHC50 million had already been spent on the project, leading to concerns about the proper allocation of state resources.
The Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, had earlier petitioned CHRAJ, triggering the investigation into the matter. Domelevo urged for a transparent process to hold the board members accountable, emphasizing that the Bible would not protect them if they failed to comply with the country’s laws.
The National Cathedral project was initiated by President Nana Akufo-Addo as part of a promise to construct a facility that would honor God. However, the ongoing controversy over its financial management has led to mounting public pressure for transparency and accountability in the handling of state funds.