Shamima Muslim is a Deputy Presidential Spokesperson
Deputy Presidential Spokesperson, Shamima Muslim, has said the growing public anger over the National Cathedral expenditure is understandable, given the significant amount of money already sunk into the project with little to show for it.
Speaking on GTV’s Current Agenda programme on Friday, July 19, she noted that while no one has been declared guilty of any wrongdoing, the figures emerging from the audit process have deepened public frustrations and demand for accountability.
“Nobody is saying anybody is guilty of any crime until the investigation will prove, but everybody is concerned about the amount of money that has gone into this project,” she stated.
She disclosed that initial reports suggested that only $58 million had been spent so far, but new details emerging from an audit indicate an additional $39 million is owed to contractors, bringing the total financial exposure to nearly $97 million.
She explained that President John Dramani Mahama had previously referenced an audit by Deloitte and Touche during a national address and assured the public that further actions would be taken once the findings are fully reviewed.
“Amounts including monies from the public purse have gone into what many consider a private promise to God by a president. As a nation, we must be aligned in finding where there was wrongdoing,” she said.
Shamima Muslim emphasised that the key question now is to determine the total cost of the project and ensure accountability for every amount spent.
President John Dramani Mahama has issued key directives to restore transparency and accountability by calling for the dissolution of both the National Cathedral Secretariat and its Board of Trustees.
Additionally, he has instructed that the audit report on the project be published and a forensic audit conducted.
AS/AE
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