Ghana’s National Cathedral scandal crushes government accountability over $97 million

The grand vision for Ghana’s National Cathedral, once touted as a beacon of national unity and spirituality, has instead become a monumental symbol of financial mismanagement. A profound lack of oversight is unequivocally exposed by the recent Deloitte and Touche audit report. This revelation is now at the forefront of a national firestorm, transforming the project’s noble aspirations into an indictment of governance and accountability.

The Unfolding Scandal

The audit of the National Cathedral Secretariat’s operations was initiated byPresident John Dramani Mahama‘s government. It covers financial activities from December 31, 2021, to December 31, 2023, and it has confirmed long-held public suspicions of impropriety.

Minister for Government Communication, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, declared that the audit findings “rock the very foundation of the project and the work of the Secretariat and raise serious questions about the use of public funds.”

Kwakye Ofosu also pointed to a “persistent disregard for due process,” citing unexplained payments, discrepancies in contract values, and inadequate internal controls. This suggests a systemic pattern of behavior rather than isolated incidents, highlighting a severe breakdown in financial discipline.

A nearly five million Ghana Cedis discrepancy in payments to Sir David Adjaye & Associates Ltd. for design and mobilisation immediately raises flags. The Office of the President reported about one hundred thirteen million Ghana Cedis paid, yet the firm claims receipt of nearly one hundred eighteen million Ghana Cedis.

“Where did this nearly five million Ghana Cedis difference go?” is a question now echoing across Ghana. The public is demanding a direct and verifiable answer from the project’s managers. Also, the audit revealed that nearly two hundred ninety-three thousand Ghana Cedis out of about three hundred fifty thousand Ghana Cedis spent on office costs and accommodation for a symposium hosted by the Biblical Museum of Africa could not be accounted for.

This points to a potentially serious breach of trust in the handling of public funds. Another concerning detail is the continued payment of over five hundred twenty-three thousand US Dollars to The Nehemiah Group, a US-based entity, even after its one-year contract expired without renewal.

This arrangement, described by Kwakye Ofosu as a “clear breach of contract governance protocols,” further highlights the project’s problematic management.

The audit also flagged substantial unreconciled mobile money donations, amounting to over GH¢38 million, due to “failed or unsuccessful transfers.”

This raises questions not only about the integrity of the fundraising efforts but also the mechanisms in place to protect public and private contributions. “It’s disheartening to see such a significant amount of donations just vanish. We gave our widow’s mite hoping for something great, not for it to disappear,” said Maame Akua Agyeman, a market vendor in Accra, reflecting the frustration of many ordinary Ghanaians who contributed small sums. These findings are not minor accounting discrepancies; they represent significant lapses in fiduciary responsibility that demand thorough investigation and accountability.

The Burden on Taxpayers

The revelation that the state’s total financial commitment to the stalled project has reached an alarming $97 million represents a significant and disturbing revision of previously disclosed figures.

For years, the public largely understood the cost to be around $58 million. Kwakye Ofosu clarified that this new figure includes $58 million already disbursed and an outstanding $39 million still owed to the contractor, despite construction having ceased years ago.

This substantial increase, coupled with the ongoing accrual of costs due to what the Minister described as the “flawed nature of the contract,” places an immense and ongoing burden on the public purse, especially at a time when Ghana faces significant economic challenges. “It is a hole in the ground that continues to drain our national resources,” said Dr. Yaw Mensah, an economic expert, reflecting widespread public exasperation.

The project’s initial estimated cost in 2018 was reportedly around $100 million, with a clear promise from the previous government that it would be primarily privately funded through voluntary contributions.

However, by 2022, reports indicated the cost had quadrupled to over $400 million, a figure further cemented by a lawyer for the construction firm in an interview with Legal500. Now, with the $97 million figure being confirmed as already spent and owed, the final cost remains a moving target, fueling public distrust.

This dramatic shift from a “privately funded” initiative to one largely propped up by “taxpayer-funded” resources has been a consistent point of contention, leading to widespread accusations of deception and misplaced national priorities.

Opposition figures have been particularly vocal. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Chairperson of the newly-formed Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) Team and a vocal critic, minced no words: “The President and Ken Ofori-Atta masterminded this whole National Cathedral debacle. They engaged in illegal withdrawals and violated the Constitution. They cannot be spared.” This statement, while strong, captures the sentiment of many who feel misled by the previous administration’s handling of the project.

Dr. Paul Opoku-Mensah, the Executive Director of the National Cathedral Board of Trustees (an entity closely associated with the previous NPP government’s initiative), issued a statement on July 9, prior to the government’s detailed announcement of the audit findings.

He asserted: “The Audit of the National Cathedral accounts by Deloitte and Touche confirms that all state funds to the project are accounted for, disbursements are based on agreements and/or contracts, and payments were made for actual work done.” He also attributed the suspension of construction primarily to “a lack of funds, as well as a politicisation and vilification of the project that affected fundraising.”

This suggests a differing interpretation of the initial audit’s findings and points to external factors as primary hindrances. As of this analysis, a direct, official response from the NPP party leadership specifically addressing the new audit findings has not been publicly released.

The Way Forward to Justice

President Mahama’s swift actions – dissolving the National Cathedral Secretariat on May 1, 2025, initiating legal action to dissolve the Board of Trustees, and ordering a comprehensive forensic audit – signal a decisive step towards accountability.

The Auditor-General has specifically been tasked with this forensic audit, a crucial step given that the Deloitte audit did not cover the full scope of operations. The Attorney-General’s directive to lawfully terminate ongoing contracts is also significant in preventing further financial hemorrhage.

Kwakye Ofosu assured the public that “decisive action will be taken regarding any impropriety determined and the future of the project itself” after the forensic audit, offering a glimmer of hope for justice and restoration of public faith.

However, many critical questions still linger and the path to full accountability is complex. Will those found responsible face prosecution?

This includes individuals behind financial irregularities, procurement breaches, and weak governance structures. Their past positions or affiliations should not matter. What is the actual, realistic cost to completely halt the project?

How can further losses from the “flawed contract” be mitigated? Conversely, what would it cost to complete it at a “more reasonable figure” as President Mahama hinted?

“The government needs to tell us definitively what they plan to do. Finish it or abandon it, but stop the bleeding,” a taxi driver in Kumasi, Kwesi Opoku, said. This shows the public’s desire for a clear resolution and an end to the financial uncertainty.

Additionally, what does this report mean for future large-scale public-private partnerships in Ghana? The country is still grappling with economic challenges. These include inflation, fiscal consolidation efforts, and the need to attract foreign investment. The Centre for Policy Analysis (CenPOA) has already issued a stern warning to the government. They stated that “any attempt… to revive the project by allocating public funds would amount to political dishonesty and a serious betrayal of the trust Ghanaians have placed in the Mahama-led administration.”

This underscores the high stakes involved and the need for prudent financial management in all future national projects

The ongoing saga of the National Cathedral is a cautionary tale about transparency, project management, and the imperative for effective governance structures in national projects.

It also highlights the deep divisions that can arise when national projects are perceived as lacking transparency or misaligned with public priorities. The public demands not just answers and rhetorical promises, but tangible consequences for those who may have misused public trust and funds, and a clear vision for the path forward.

The coming months will be crucial in determining whether Ghana can move past this “expensive hole in the ground” and reclaim faith in its public institutions.

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DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.