The Concerned Pastors Against Bad Governance, Ghana (CPBGG), have expressed outrage over what they describe as the “disgrace and public humiliation” of some of Ghana’s most revered clergymen in connection with the controversial National Cathedral project.
In a press release signed by Reverend Mike Benson, convener for the group, the pastors accused the Akufo-Addo-led government of deception and mismanagement regarding the funding of the project.
The CPBGG highlighted that the following eminent spiritual leaders had been drawn into the controversy:
- Rev. Dr. Frimpong Manso, General Superintendent, Assemblies of God
- Rt. Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Martey, Former Moderator, Presbyterian Church
- Most Rev. T. K. Awotwi Pratt, Former Presiding Bishop, Methodist Church
- Most Rev. Bishop Justice Ofei Akrofi, Former Anglican Archbishop Emeritus
- Apostle Opoku Onyinah, Former Chairman, Church of Pentecost
- Rt. Rev. Cephas Amenyo, Former Moderator, Presbyterian Church
- Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams, General Overseer, Christian Action Faith Ministries
- Rev. Eastwood Anaba, Fountain Gate Chapel
- Bishop Dag Heward-Mills, Presiding Bishop, Lighthouse Chapel International
- Pastor Mensa Otabil, Senior Pastor, International Central Gospel Church
According to the statement, these spiritual leaders accepted roles in the project based on assurances from President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia that the National Cathedral would not be funded with state resources. However, the CPBGG claims evidence has since emerged indicating that public funds were secretly redirected to finance the project.
“The breach of trust has caused dismay and tarnished the reputations of these men of God,” the group noted, adding that many of the clergymen resigned from their roles upon learning of the alleged deception. Despite this, they now face the threat of prosecution for decisions over which they had no authority.
The CPBGG has called on the followers of the affected pastors and the wider Christian community to demonstrate solidarity by voting against the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the 2024 general elections.
“A government that deceives and humiliates the very spiritual leaders who supported it cannot be trusted to lead this nation,” the statement declared.
The group further emphasised that their call to action transcends politics, framing it as a moral duty to protect the dignity of the Church and hold the government accountable.
The pastors labelled the National Cathedral as a project “tainted by deceit, corruption, and poor governance,” asserting that a sacred initiative born out of dishonesty cannot succeed.
“We urge all Ghanaians who value integrity and truth to join us in rejecting this government at the polls. If we ever loved our spiritual fathers, this is the time to stand with them,” the statement concluded.
The controversy surrounding the National Cathedral has drawn widespread criticism, with questions over transparency, accountability, and the use of public funds remaining at the forefront of public discourse.
Read the full statement here:
PRESS RELEASE
CONCERNED PASTORS AGAINST BAD GOVERNANCE, GHANA
28th November, 2024
SUBJECT: DEFENDING OUR SPIRITUAL FATHERS AND VOTING AGAINST THE NPP IN THE 2024 ELECTIONS.
We, the Concerned Pastors Against Bad Governance, Ghana, are deeply disheartened and outraged by the disgrace and public humiliation that has been orchestrated against some of our most revered spiritual fathers in relation to the National Cathedral project.
The following distinguished clergymen, who have served as spiritual leaders and role models for millions of Ghanaians, were entangled in the controversy surrounding the National Cathedral project:
Rev. Dr. Frimpong Manso, General Superintendent, Assemblies of God
Rt. Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Martey, Former Moderator, Presbyterian Church
Most Rev. T. K. Awotwi Pratt, Former Presiding Bishop, Methodist Church
Most Rev. Bishop Justice Ofei Akrofi, Former Anglican Archbishop Emeritus
Apostle Opoku Onyinah, Former Chairman, Church of Pentecost
Rt. Rev. Cephas Amenyo, Former Moderator, Presbyterian Church
Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams, General Overseer, Christian Action Faith Ministries
Rev. Eastwood Anaba, Fountain Gate Chapel
Bishop Dag Heward-Mills, Presiding Bishop, Lighthouse Chapel International
Pastor Mensa Otabil, Senior Pastor, International Central Gospel Church
These spiritual giants initially accepted roles in the National Cathedral project because of assurances given by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Vice President Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia that the project would not be funded with state resources. Unfortunately, this assurance turned out to be a deliberate deception. Evidence has since emerged that scarce public funds were secretly funneled into the project under the guise of a personal pledge, causing dismay and tarnishing the reputations of these men of God.
Many of these clergymen, recognizing the breach of trust, resigned from their roles upon discovering the truth. Yet today, they face the threat of potential prosecution for decisions and actions over which they had no final authority or control. This government has not only failed them but has used their names and reputations to further questionable financial dealings under the guise of a sacred cause.
OUR STAND
We, the Concerned Pastors, believe that a project born out of lies and deceit cannot stand. The disgrace brought upon our spiritual fathers is a direct result of the dishonesty of the Nana Addo-Bawumia administration. As such, we cannot, in good conscience, remain silent or passive while our leaders continue to suffer public ridicule and the looming threat of legal consequences.
OUR CALL TO ACTION
We are calling on all members and followers of the aforementioned pastors and their churches to demonstrate their loyalty and love for their spiritual fathers by voting against the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the upcoming 2024 elections. A government that deceives and humiliates the very spiritual leaders who have supported it cannot be trusted to lead this nation.
This is not merely about politics; it is about holding leadership accountable and protecting the dignity of the Church. If we ever loved our spiritual fathers, this is the time to stand with them. Let us say NO to the people who deceived our fathers in the LORD.
CONCLUSION
The National Cathedral was intended to be a sacred project, but it has been tainted by deceit, corruption, and poor governance. We cannot sit idly by while the faith and reputations of our spiritual leaders are eroded. We urge all Ghanaians who value integrity and truth to join us in rejecting this government at the polls.
Signed,
Reverend Mike Benson
Convener and Spokesperson
Concerned Pastors Against Bad Governance, Ghana (CPBGG)
0552355468