National Cathedral project has cost Ghana $97m – Gov’t
The Minister of Government Communication, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has disclosed that the National Cathedral project has cost the state a total of $97 million.
This revelation follows a directive by President John Dramani Mahama for Deloitte and Touche to conduct an audit into the project.
According to Kwakye Ofosu, the audit uncovered significant financial irregularities, including a lack of due diligence, weak internal controls, and poor accounting practices. He added that management failed to provide documentation for several transactions.
Addressing journalists on Friday, July 18, he stated, “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.”
He noted that, contrary to the widely held view that the total payments and commitments made to the project amounted to $58 million, there remains an outstanding $39 million due to the contractor. This, he said, brings the total cost of the stalled project to $97 million.
“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.
Kwakye Ofosu further expressed concern that additional costs continue to accumulate daily, despite work on the project having ceased years ago due to the unfavorable terms of the contract.
In addition to its religious function, the Cathedral is designed to serve as a cultural and heritage landmark. Planned facilities include a Bible Museum, Biblical Garden, banquet hall, 350-seater restaurant, library, and conference centre — all aimed at promoting faith-based tourism and national pride.
