North Tongu Constituency MP Samuel Okudzeto-Ablakwa has voiced regret over the involvement of prominent pastors in the National Cathedral project, following a report by the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) that highlighted government deception surrounding the project.

Mr Ablakwa, who initiated the CHRAJ investigation, described the findings as “damning and explosive.”

Mr Ablakwa said he felt “pain” for the pastors who were part of the National Cathedral Board of Trustees, as they now find themselves entangled in a scandal.

“I am in pain. I feel sorry for the men of God caught in this scandal.

I would never wish such a situation upon them.

It’s so unfortunate,” he remarked.

According to Ablakwa, the project was undertaken "on the blind side of Parliament and the public,” despite repeated assurances from President Akufo-Addo that public funds would not be used.

Mr Ablakwa blamed the President for the lack of transparency, arguing that had there been open communication and adherence to due process, the current situation could have been avoided.

“This could have been avoided if the President had listened to the cries of the people and followed due process.

But he didn’t, and now look at where we are,” he said.

CHRAJ’s report confirmed that contrary to the President’s assurances, the National Cathedral had indeed been funded with taxpayer money, bypassing proper Parliamentary oversight.

Initially presented as a privately funded initiative, the project has now been revealed as largely dependent on public funds.

“You recall the President said they were not using public funds.

This was supposed to be a private project,” Ablakwa stated, adding that CHRAJ’s findings confirmed his concerns that taxpayer money was heavily involved “on the blind side of Parliament and the public.”

CHRAJ has recommended that the Auditor-General conduct a forensic audit of the funds allocated to the National Cathedral project.

It also called for a value-for-money audit to determine if the $58 million spent to date matches the current construction progress.

He made these remarks in an interview on Accra-based Adom FM.