A new revelation has emerged regarding the amount of funds allocated to the National Cathedral project, initiated under the previous Akufo-Addo government.

Addressing journalists on Friday, July 18, the Minister of Government Communication, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, disclosed that Ghana has lost $97 million to the National Cathedral project.

He explained that, contrary to the $58 million claimed by the former NPP government, an outstanding $39 million owed to the contractor brings the total cost to $97 million.

According to him, the new cost was made known in a report submitted by Deloitte and Touche after its audit on the project.

“Equally troubling is the failure of management to produce documents to support several transactions, including office costs, board expenses, and accommodation for the symposium hosted by the Biblical Museum of Africa.”

“It bears noting that documentation available indicates that contrary to the widely held view that total payments and commitments to the National Cathedral Project amount to $58 million so far, there is an additional outstanding $39 million payment due the contractor. This will bring the total cost incurred for the hole at the site of the project to $97 million,” he disclosed.

The National Cathedral, originally proposed under the administration of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, was envisioned as a monumental Christian worship centre in Ghana.

But the project progressed at a snail's pace, spiralling costs and the use of public funds in a secular state. According to reports, a total amount of $58 million was spent on the project deemed to be Ghana’s most expensive bit.

Over a year ago, Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, raised concerns with the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), alleging irregularities in the project's construction and the operations of the National Cathedral Secretariat.

After investigating the case for several months, the Commission recommended that the Office of the Auditor-General intervene and conduct a forensic audit to ascertain whether funds allocated for the project were used for their intended purposes.

The Commission highlighted that GHS225.9 million in “seed money” had been spent on activities including site preparation, contractor mobilization, and consultancy services as of May 31, 2022.

CHRAJ's detailed report recommended the potential prosecution of the board of trustees overseeing the National Cathedral project, citing their role in awarding the contract to Ribade Company Limited.

The report highlighted multiple violations of procurement regulations and warned that the failure of those involved to address the issues could tarnish Ghana’s reputation both locally and internationally.

The government in April this year dissolved the National Cathedral Secretariat after noting that it would no longer provide funding for the abandoned project.

DELIOTTE ON NATIONAL CATHEDRALDownload