I’ll Be Happy to See Akufo-Addo in Court Over National Cathedral Scandal – Elikem Kotoko

Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission, Elikem Kotoko, says he would be delighted to see former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo prosecuted over the alleged financial irregularities surrounding the National Cathedral project, which he described as “an organised crime unit” established to siphon state funds.

Speaking on JoyNews’ AM Show on Thursday, October 22, Mr. Kotoko accused the former president of masterminding what he called a fraudulent scheme disguised as a religious project.

“If wishes were horses, I would be happy to see former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo hauled to court to answer for that hole he dug, which seems to be an organised crime unit set up to siphon or launder state funds,” he said angrily.

Mr. Kotoko contrasted Akufo-Addo’s actions with those of Côte d’Ivoire’s former Minister, Boahen, who, according to him, built a house of worship with his own money—unlike the former Ghanaian leader, whom he accused of “scamming God.”

“Our neighbour in Côte d’Ivoire, Boahen, built for God with private funds. But Akufo-Addo, when in opposition, promised God to build a cathedral if he won. He couldn’t even fulfil that promise honestly. This is someone who could even scam God,” he fumed.

The visibly frustrated Forestry Commission executive said he was disappointed in the moral conduct of some senior political figures.

“As a young person, I frown so much on elderly people not holding fidelity to the virtues they were supposed to hand over to us,” he lamented.

Mr. Kotoko further described the National Cathedral as a deliberate avenue for corruption, claiming that prominent religious leaders were used to legitimise the project.

“This whole National Cathedral thing was another avenue to scam the entire nation, using some very notable religious leaders. Some of them said not a pesewa of public funds would be used, yet the Finance Minister—one of those I perceive as culpable—is still walking free,” he said.

He also accused the former administration of misleading the public about the project’s progress.

“At the time he read the budget, he told us rehabilitation work was 90%. A toddler who visits that place will tell you not even 5% has been done,” Kotoko stated.

He concluded by calling for swift investigations and possible prosecution of those involved, saying such accountability would serve as a deterrent to future leaders.

“President Nana Addo used our vulnerability as a people—that when God’s name is mentioned, we hesitate to question—to scam all of us,” he added.