Ghanaian social media users have rejected an explanation from the National Cathedral Secretariat about the exposé by lawmaker Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa alleging corruption.
In a statement, the secretariat denied that money paid to JNS, an alleged shell company created by Cathedral board member Reverend Kusi Boateng, was done clandestinely, claiming it was reimbursement for a loan he granted the secretariat.
The statement also replied to allegations from Ablakwa that the preacher has multiple identities he uses to defraud the nation.
The statement said: “As a normal verification – expected of a Member of Parliament – would have revealed, this was not an illegal payment but rather a refund of a short-term interest free loan made by JNS to top up the payments to the contractors of the National Cathedral.
“This support was sought from a National Cathedral Trustee Member, Rev Kusi Boateng, in a letter dated August 26, 2021 due to a delay in the receipt of funds to pay the Contractors on time. The GHC 2.6m was paid from the JNS account to the National Cathedral account on August 27, 2021, following a request from Rev Kusi Boateng to his bankers, ADB.
“The GHC 2.6m was refunded to Rev Kusi Boateng, and JNS, by the National Cathedral on September 8, 2021.”
It added “So, this is not an illegal payment! As we have stressed, consistently, a project of this nature that significantly raises the issues of faith and national development will always have its discontents, malcontents, as well as those who would use lies, and reckless populist statements to give the impression of wanting accountability. In our vibrant democracy, this is to be expected.
“However, we do expect that the basic values of verification, particularly by Members of Parliament, would be followed. The Board and Management of the National Cathedral Project remains focused and committed to the completion of the National Cathedral, and would continue to do so with diligence, integrity, excellence, and accountability.”
In responses sighted online by theGhanaianVoice.Com, social media users reject the explanation from the secretariat.
Check out some responses below…
So you want us to believe this nonsense
— BROFO NTUA BILL (@NtuaBill) January 16, 2023
You people should be ashamed for recruiting CROOK PASTORS and FRAUDSTERS to build so called Cathedral for God
— Mutaru Osman (@OsmanMutaru) January 16, 2023
So the government won't us to believe this statement
— odro (@FeCoffie) January 16, 2023
Source: theGhanaianVoice.Com
