The government has dismissed claims that it has decided to repurpose the stalled National Cathedral project site into a Cultural Convention Centre.
According to Government Spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu, no such decision has been taken by President John Mahama.
Addressing journalists at a press briefing on Friday, Mr Kwakye Ofosu clarified that while a proposal had been submitted to the 24-hour Secretariat suggesting a new use for the land, the President has not endorsed or approved any conversion of the site.
“President Mahama has not taken any such decision. What it is, is that the 24-hour Secretariat received a proposal from an entity regarding what they believe the Secretariat can be used for.
“But no such decision has been taken by President Mahama on the subject,” Mr Kwakye Ofosu said in response to a journalist’s question during the Q&A session.
He added that the future of the site would only be determined after the completion of a forensic audit into the National Cathedral project and the activities of the now-dissolved Secretariat.
“As I indicated, once the forensic audit comes in and all the matters at play are clearly understood, a firm decision will be taken on the future of the site,” he said.
The clarification comes amid speculation about what will become of the site, which has seen little progress since construction stalled, despite the government having already spent millions on the project.
The National Cathedral, once pitched as a monumental symbol of national unity and faith, has become a flashpoint for public debate over transparency and the use of state resources.
Earlier during the briefing, Kwakye Ofosu detailed findings from an audit conducted by Deloitte and Touche, which uncovered a litany of financial irregularities, procurement breaches, and unsupported expenditures relating to the project.
He also confirmed that the National Cathedral Secretariat had been dissolved and that legal steps were underway to dissolve the Board of Trustees.
The government has since tasked the Auditor-General to conduct a full forensic audit to inform next steps and determine accountability regarding the project.
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