Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has rebuffed the widespread report of the government’s intention to repurpose the stalled National Cathedral project into a National Cultural Convention Centre.

His response comes to deny claims that surfaced on Friday, July 18. These claims stemmed from speculation and an unsolicited proposal submitted to the 24-Hour Economy Secretariat by a continental organisation. During an interview on Citi FM yesterday, Tuesday, July 22, Mr. Kwakye Ofosu rendered such claims as “inaccurate and misleading.”

“Contrary to claims that emerged last week, the government has not decided to turn the site into a cultural convention centre; nothing of the sort has happened,” he clarified. He explained that the whole speculation is coming from a proposal that was submitted by a continental organisation requesting to build its headquarters on the site, as it is currently renting a space in Accra for its operations.

According to the proposal, the organisation intends to build a cultural and convention centre for Ghana. “A continental organisation that currently rents space in Accra submitted an unsolicited proposal to establish its headquarters on the site. The proposal includes plans to build a cultural and convention centre for Ghana,” he said.

However, he went on to explain that this proposal has not been accepted by the government, as it has not yet been deliberated on. “It is merely an unsolicited proposal. The government has not accepted it or even considered it,” he added. He went on to reaffirm the government’s stance on the project, saying that the president has no intention of spending a penny on it.

“I can state with authority that as long as President Mahama remains the head of this country, he is unprepared to see even a pesewa of taxpayers’ money put into this National Cathedral project, ” Kwakye Ofosu emphasised. He noted that the future of the site would only be determined after a full forensic audit.

“What happens to the site will be decided once we have all the facts. But I can assure Ghanaians no public funds will go into the cathedral,” he said.

About the National Cathedral project

The National Cathedral project, which was originally supposed to be former President Nana Akufo-Addo’s project, as he explicitly stated during the sod-cutting ceremony of the project in 2017 that it was a personal project he promised God if he helped him win the 2016 elections.

Following the sod-cutting ceremony, the design of the project was assigned to a popular Ghanaian-British architect celebrated for his culturally resonant and socially conscious designs, Sir David Adjaye.

He unveiled the design a year later in March 2018, and construction commenced shortly afterwards. The cathedral was envisioned as an interdenominational Christian space, featuring a 5,000-seat auditorium, chapels, a Bible museum, and cultural elements inspired by Ghanaian heritage.

Despite the project being presented by the former President as a personal vow, initially believed to be funded by donations and other private funds, it ended up being largely funded by taxpayers’ money.

According to the Deloitte audit report, as of December 2023, the government had spent $97 million (GH¢339 million) on the project. This included payments made before contracts were signed, expenses without proper documentation, procurement violations and questionable reimbursements.

The audit revealed that government seed money dried up, and fundraising efforts failed to generate significant private support.

The spotlight on alleged embezzlement and financial mismanagement in Ghana’s National Cathedral project was first brought to public attention by Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Member of Parliament for North Tongu. As a vocal opposition figure, he consistently raised red flags about questionable expenditures, procurement breaches, and governance lapses tied to the project.

The embezzlement and financial mismanagement in Ghana’s National Cathedral project were first brought to public attention by the Member of Parliament for North Tongu and current Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa. He consistently raised red flags about questionable expenditures, procurement breaches, and governance lapses tied to the project.

Following the discovery of the heavily disembezzled funds, the National Cathedral Secretariat was dissolved by the government.

The dissolution marks a major shift in the government’s stance on the controversial project, which faced widespread criticism over allegations of financial mismanagement, stalled construction, and questions over its funding transparency.

Speaking on Channel One, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the Minister of State in Charge of Government Communications, confirmed that the government would no longer provide funding for the abandoned project.

He emphasised that the decision reflects President John Dramani Mahama’s consistent position that taxpayer money should not be used to finance the National Cathedral.

“There are outstanding issues regarding the procurement processes, and outstanding payments that the contractor is demanding, but nobody will answer because there is no National Cathedral," Mr. Kwakye Ofosu stated.

The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) has urged the Auditor-General to launch a forensic audit into the controversial National Cathedral project.

Meanwhile, the National Cathedral Secretariat has responded to Deloitte Touche’s report, revealing that the misappropriation of funds occurred within its operations.

According to an internal memo to staff dated July 21, Executive Director of the Secretariat, Dr. Paul Opoku-Mensah, branded the report as false and incomplete.“While the government press conference made reference to audit findings, what was presented was not the actual audit report but rather audit queries that had been responded to in detail.

“This audit report does not exonerate anyone. However, it confirms that there has been no misuse of state funds. All payments made were supported by contracts and guided by legal and financial protocols,” the memo noted.

Deloitte Touche was tasked by President John Dramani Mahama earlier this year to conduct an independent audit on the National Cathedral project.

The report, which covered activities from December 2021 and December 2023, accused the Secretariat of procurement breaches, unsupported expenditures, and governance lapses.

During a press briefing on Friday, July 18, Felix Kwakye Ofosu disclosed that the Secretariat spent 18,500 Ghana cedis on the expenses of one Kharis Psalmist; however, it failed to document the full cost rendered in its records.

"A key example involves academic payment for Mr Kharis Psalmist, who was lodged at the Movenpick Hotel from 16th to 28th February 2022 at 18,500 Ghana cedis.