Former President John Dramani Mahama has criticised President Nana Akufo-Addo’s decision to allocate over GHc500 million to the National Cathedral project to the detriment of the Saglemi housing initiative.
In a Facebook post, the NDC flagbearer alleged that the government abandoned the Saglemi housing project solely because it was initiated during his administration.
President Akufo-Addo held a sod-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, August 1, to kickstart the construction of 8,000 units of affordable houses with support from the private sector.
During the ceremony, President Akufo-Addo justified abandoning the Saglemi housing project, stating that completing it would have increased the national debt.
In response to the president’s explanation, former president Mahama criticised the government, claiming that the inability to raise funds for the Saglemi housing project while allocating a significant amount to the National Cathedral was a “humiliating slap in the face of Ghanaians.”
He argued that the government’s priorities seem misplaced because they are willing to invest in a massive civil excavation for the National Cathedral but neglect a housing project to provide affordable homes for Ghanaians.
“It is unacceptable for Akufo-Addo to spend over half a billion cedis on a national cathedral project that has ultimately failed due to corruption and is now abandoned, yet refuses to commit funds to complete a housing project that will benefit thousands of Ghanaian families.
“Knowing the NPP government, they did not want to complete the Saglemi housing project simply because it was initiated by John Mahama and an NDC administration.
“Leaders must always prioritise the well-being of their citizens and ensure that they benefit from government resources and projects, regardless of who initiated them.
“The misplaced priorities of a government that claim it is unable to raise money to complete the Saglemi housing project and yet is willing to spend half a billion cedis on the largest civil excavation in Africa is a humiliating slap in the face of Ghanaians who entrusted Akufo Addo with their mandate.
“Just think about the countless number of Ghanaian families who could have had decent living conditions over the past seven years and the individuals who could have had a place to truly call home in Saglemi,” Mr Mahama indicated.