Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has disclosed that two prominent clergymen, Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams and Rev. Eastwood Anaba, who recently stepped down from the National Cathedral's Board of Trustees, served in their roles without compensation.

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Ablakwa, in an interview on Starr FM on November 16, 2023, highlighted the genuine intentions of both pastors in joining the board, stating that they did so without any hidden agendas.

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He further shared that he personally conversed with the resigned pastors, gaining insights into their perspectives on the controversial National Cathedral project. During these discussions, Rev. Eastwood Anaba acknowledged that they should have heeded Ablakwa's earlier warnings against the project.

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"Yes, I have spoken to all of them. Rev. Eastwood Anaba is my pastor, so we talk always, and I can't lie about this. He said, 'Young man, we should have listened to you earlier. You saw things that we saw later',” he said.

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He added, “And to be fair to them, to be honest to them, they went into this with a very pure heart, I know and I can confirm to you today that these two Rev. Eastwood Anaba and Archbishop Duncan-Williams never took an allowance. So, sometimes when I see people say that they should also refund the money and that, they are not been fair to them I have the records.”

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The two pastors left their positions on the National Cathedral's Board of Trustees.

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During their meeting with President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the distinguished clergymen expressed their increasing worries regarding accountability and transparency in the project.

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“Despite our prayers, best hopes and wishes, unfortunately, a needed audit to help restore public confidence and trust in this consequential project has not been enacted to the best of our knowledge. Since January 2023, we have awaited news, to no avail, regarding the findings of the audit. We, therefore, regret that as a matter of conscience and faith, we hereby submit to you our resignation from the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral,” the statement said.

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They continued by making it clear that their choice should not be seen as a challenge to the National Cathedral's goals or vision.

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“We honourably assure you, as we assured the Board of Trustees in January 2023, with the submission of our resignation, that our action in no way impugns the vision or intent of the National Cathedral, but rather ensures that it is advanced and built on a foundation of integrity, efficiency and quality while gaming and maintaining public trust and support, We truly owe this to God and to country,” the statement added.

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