Furious judges fought Akufo-Addo over decision to flatten their homes for cathedral – Ablakwa

North Tongu Member of Parliament, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has said that some judges were angry over the decision of the Akufo-Addo government to demolish their settlements to pave way for the construction of the national cathedral in Accra.

Mr Ablakwa said the decision to bulldoze the buildings led to the resignation of a Court of Appeal judge, Justice Saeed Kwaku Gyan.

In a tweet on Friday June 17, Mr Ablakwa who has been vociferous against the construction of the cathedral especially regarding the amount being spent on the project, said ” When the Akufo-Addo government notified judges in 2018 that they will have to vacate their official bungalows as he was going to demolish them to pave way for the construction of his cathedral which he personally promised God, some of the judges were absolutely furious and fought back.

“Unfortunately, the affected judges did get the support they expected and had to capitulate. In protest, a distinguished and unblemished Appeal Court judge, Justice Saeed Kwaku Gyan resigned.

“His resignation has been a great loss to justice delivery in Ghana. This was a judge the Ghana Bar Association conferred a rare honour at its 2012/13 Annual General Conference celebrating him for his uprightness and will to resist corruption in the discharge of his duties.”

The government received flak for demolishing the buildings.

However, Secretary to the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral Rev Victor Kusi Boateng defended the decision.

In his view, critics of the demolition were neophytes in the subject of construction, hence their criticisms.

“We were dealing with judges and not a single one objected to it,” Rev. Boateng said.

 “I can say on authority that 90% of the buildings were 1920 buildings. There was not a single brand new building that the judges were occupying,” he added.

“We are not just building a National Cathedral but the amount of money this cathedral is going to generate for the nation is interesting.

 “Thousands of people will come in just to see such an iconic cathedral, which is the first of its kind in Africa,” he told Accra-based Joy FM.

source: 3news