The Head of the National Cathedral Denies Paying $5 million to a US Consultant.
Dr. Paul Opoku-Mensah, the Executive Director of the National Cathedral Secretariat, has refuted claims that a sum of GH¢28 million was paid to Cary Summers, a US consultant, to organize a fundraiser in the US for the National Cathedral project. Dr. Opoku-Mensah clarified that the amount was actually paid to the Nehemiah Group, of which Cary Summers is the CEO.
In a statement released on January 7, Dr. Opoku-Mensah explained that the payment was for a set of consultancy services, which included coordinating work on the National Cathedral’s Bible Museum of Africa and the Biblical Gardens of Africa. The integration of the Bible Museum and the Biblical Gardens aims to transform Ghana into an international hub for pilgrimage and tourism.
Dr. Opoku-Mensah added that the National Cathedral’s Bible Museum and Biblical Gardens involve some of the leading global firms, such as Kubik Maltbie, PRD, Cortina Productions, and JMC, who have previously worked on some of the world’s most significant museums. Thus, the payments were not made to Cary Summers to organize a fundraiser but to these firms for their work on the Bible Museum and Biblical Gardens.
Dr. Opoku-Mensah acknowledged that although the allegations were unfounded, they were not surprising. He noted that a project that significantly raises the issues of faith and national development will always have its detractors, as well as those who would use lies and populist statements to appear accountable.
He concluded by stating that the Board and Management of the National Cathedral Project remain committed to the completion of the National Cathedral with diligence, integrity, excellence, and accountability.