Seek clarification on accounting process if you don’t understand – National Cathedral boss tells Ablakwa

Seek clarification on accounting process if you don’t understand – National Cathedral boss tells Ablakwa

Executive Director of the National Cathedral of Ghana, Dr. Paul Opoku Mensah has dismissed allegations of corruption and conflict of interest leveled against the Secretary to the Board by the North Tongu MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.

Mr. Ablakwa on Monday, January 16 accused Rev. Victor Kusi-Boateng of conflict of interest and possession of multiple identities.

According to him, Rev. Victor Kusi-Boateng appears to be using questionable means to divert funds from the National Cathedral project to himself.

He also alleged that an amount of GH¢2.6 million was paid to a company named JNS Talent Centre Limited which he believes has some connections with Rev. Victor Kusi-Boateng.

But responding to these allegations in an interview with JoyNews, Dr. Paul Opoku Mensah explained that the said amount which was paid on September 8, 2021, was a loan from a board member whose name he fell short of mentioning.

He stressed that the amount was requested from the state in August 2021 to be used to pay the contractors but was delayed due to some processes at the Controller and Accountant General’s Department.

Hence, the board member offered to loan the money through his company, JNS Talent Centre Limited to be paid later without any interest.

According to him, there is no illegal payment as suggested by Okudzeto Ablakwa and there are documentations which have been submitted to Parliament to prove his explanations.

He wants the North Tongu MP and other critics of the project to seek clarification from the National Cathedral Secretariat before raising accusations.

“This idea of a Member of Parliament selectively using information that is verifiable, this is a documented trail that you can always ask for verification. If the MP does not understand an issue in the accounting, because in accounting somebody with an audited account cannot explain everything so they call you to clarify.

“We were never called for clarification and simply go ahead to accuse and yet there is a paper trail.

“I really understand the political mistrust in our system, but nonetheless particularly when it comes from Parliament, you expect a certain due process and when you are suspicious, you ask for verification and clarification,” he explained on Monday, January 16.

Meanwhile, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa says he will petition CHRAJ to commence investigations into this matter under Article 218 of the 1992 Constitution.

Source: Raphael Ghartey

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