The National Cathedral Secretariat has initiated an extensive investigation into potential conflict of interest and procurement irregularities related to the construction of the National Cathedral.The Secretariat has enlisted the services of two reputable audit firms, the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) and a financial advisory company, Deloitte, to undertake this accountability-driven endeavor.

The Executive Director of the Secretariat, Dr. Paul Opoku-Mensah, made this announcement during a media engagement on Wednesday, November 1, 2023.

“At the moment there are two ongoing audits of the National Cathedral project that seeks to look into issues of accountability namely, an investigation by CHRAJ into issues of conflict of interest and procurement and a financial audit by Deloitte. So the notion somehow that we are running away from accountability is simply false," he stated.

He emphasized the Secretariat's unwavering commitment to transparency and accountability, dispelling any misconceptions about evading responsibility.

“Since January CHRAJ has been involved in detailed investigations, we have been cooperating,for the last information I saw from CHRAJ it was a questionnaire to the contractors about  how they were selected. Everything is being detailed… We are committed to ensuring that the process takes the time it needs so that we will restore the confidence in this project," he added.According to him, the Secretariat is dedicated to ensuring a thorough and credible process is intended to rebuild trust and confidence in the National Cathedral project.

Earlier this year, CHRAJ dismissed a preliminary objection raised against its jurisdiction to investigate procurement breaches related to the construction of the National Cathedral of Ghana.

Subsequently, CHRAJ resumed its investigations into a petition submitted by Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, concerning the alleged procurement breaches.Mr Ablakwa's petition had called for an inquiry into three issues: purported procurement irregularities in contractor selection, the payment of GHS2,600,000.00 from state resources to JNS Talent Centre Limited, and allegations of a conflict of interest involving Rev. Victor Kusi-Boateng.Respondents, including the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori Atta, Apostle Prof Opoku Onyinah, and Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng, had initially objected to CHRAJ's jurisdiction in the matter.The Minister of Finance argued that the government's alleged breach of its commitment to fund the construction and maintenance of the cathedral with contributions from private entities and non-governmental organizations was a political issue outside the commission's jurisdiction.

We are looking into conflict of interest claims and procurement - National Cathedral Secretariat #INDViral Thomas Partey #MaxTV Asamoah Gyan | R2bees #KONEKTALBUM Bawumia | Shatta | Dbee | Mepe pic.twitter.com/v7lddEcVgt— The Independent Ghana (@independent_gh) November 1, 2023