Private legal practitioner, Lawyer Kwame Jantua, has called for a total cancellation of presidential immunity for former presidents in order to ensure accountability and prevent financial losses to the state.
Lawyer Jantua made the call on Monday when he blamed former President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, for causing financial loss to the state in relation to the 58-million-dollar National Cathedral project.
“Let’s wave it. You know why? This land that you see there is causing financial loss to the state. They should waive President Akufo-Addo’s immunity so that we can question him,” he said.
According to him, the decision to build the cathedral was a personal pledge to God and not a national project or part of the manifesto. Hence, it is imperative for the former president to give account of how the money was spent.
“If they are not prepared to question him, they should question President Bawumia to tell us what he knew about the project, which is causing financial loss to the state,” he added.
He bemoaned the situation, indicating that some of the buildings demolished for the project were listed colonial-era structures that held significant historical value for Ghana.
He further advised Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, aspiring flagbearer for the New Patriotic Party in the 2028 elections, to give more depth and clarification on the project.
He believes Dr. Bawumia was part of the government at the time and, as such, was complicit and aware of decisions taken regarding the construction of the cathedral.
“This is a lot of money. They are now saying from 58 million to 97 million dollars, which could have built good schools and good hospitals for the people of Ghana,” he lamented.
He called on duty bearers to take pragmatic steps to ensure accountability to the Ghanaian people.
By Jacob Aggrey
