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The Attorney-General’s Department has defended the government’s actions in a Supreme Court case challenging the constitutionality of financial transactions linked to the National Cathedral project.
The case, filed in 2024 by private citizen Jonathan Amable, seeks several declarations against the government. Among other reliefs, Mr. Amable is asking the Court to declare that financing the National Cathedral from the Consolidated Fund, without prior approval from the Speaker of Parliament and the Chairperson of the Council of State, violates Article 179(11) of the 1992 Constitution. He is also seeking the return of all monies allegedly withdrawn unconstitutionally for the project.
The plaintiff is additionally challenging the USD 10 billion COVID-19 Relief Bond transaction between the Ministry of Finance and the Bank of Ghana, arguing it contravenes Article 181(4), which governs public borrowing.
In response, the Attorney-General, Dr Dominic Ayine, maintained that all payments toward the National Cathedral were lawful, made under the Contingency Vote categorized as “Other Government Obligations,” and not from the Contingency Fund as claimed.
“The National Cathedral is 100% owned by the State,” the statement read. “Indeed, the Attorney-General issued an opinion on 6th January 2022 that the National Cathedral is a state-owned company limited by guarantee, under the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board.”
The department further noted that the project’s financing and policy direction have been publicly presented in annual budget statements since 2018, with Parliament providing policy approval as part of the national budget.
Regarding the COVID-19 Relief Bond, the Attorney-General argued that the transaction fell within the lawful scope of fiscal management measures implemented during the pandemic.
The Supreme Court is expected to review the submissions and determine whether the government acted within the Constitution.
