Misuse of National Cathedral Funds Must Be Prosecuted — Kofi Bentil
Kofi Bentil, Vice President of policy think tank IMANI Africa, is calling on the government to go beyond surface-level reactions and pursue legal prosecutions in response to the misuse of National Cathedral funds. Speaking during the July 19 edition of Newsfile on JoyNews, Bentil expressed outrage over revelations contained in a recent audit report, calling them a betrayal of public trust.
Wasted Resources in the Face of Real Needs
Bentil described the findings as not only troubling but also a glaring contradiction in a country grappling with basic infrastructural needs. He pointed out that over 50% of Accra residents do not have round-the-clock access to clean water, making the diversion of close to $100 million into the cathedral project indefensible.
“It is significant and deeply troubling,” he said. “We can’t provide water in the capital, yet we’ve spent this kind of money on a structure that remains unfinished.”
Warnings Were Ignored
According to Bentil, civil society groups had long cautioned that the project lacked merit and could lead to mismanagement. He noted that many issues now highlighted in the audit report were raised years ago by concerned stakeholders.
“A lot of what we’re seeing is not new,” he explained. “We warned this was a misstep—wasteful, inappropriate, and likely to result in financial loss to the state.”
Prosecution, Not Politics
The IMANI Africa executive did not mince words, insisting that those involved must face the law. “We can’t keep pretending. Stop the charade. Prosecute those who mishandled the funds,” he urged. “We’ve spent nearly $100 million, and the cathedral is still a shell. Who approved this spending? Where did the money go?”
However, Bentil was quick to caution against politically motivated prosecutions. He stressed that accountability must be grounded in evidence and proper legal process—not political vendettas.
“There’s a danger of overreach,” he warned. “We need genuine prosecutions, not politically driven ones. Not every mistake is a crime, but anyone who caused loss must be held accountable.”
Demand for Transparency Grows
As public scrutiny over the misuse of National Cathedral funds intensifies, Bentil’s call adds momentum to the demand for transparency, justice, and responsible governance. He urged state authorities to act decisively to restore public confidence and ensure such financial mismanagement never happens again.
For further details, the original interview can be accessed on MyJoyOnline.
