Mahama: Forensic Audit will determine future of National Cathedral

President John Dramani Mahama says his administration is awaiting the outcome of a forensic audit into the National Cathedral project before determining the way forward, stressing the need for transparency, national consultation, and a realistic cost structure.

This followed a courtesy call by the Christian Council at the Jubilee House, where the Council urged the government to renew its commitment to completing the cathedral under a more accountable and inclusive framework.

The Council, led by Vice Chairman Rev. Enoch Thompson, acknowledged Ghana’s current economic challenges but maintained that a properly managed cathedral project could become a lasting spiritual and cultural landmark.

The delegation proposed three recommendations: that the government reaffirm its commitment to the project, that funding be broadened to include churches, private sector players, and international partners, and that the cathedral be firmly positioned as an interdenominational national symbol that unites Ghanaians.

Speaking at the meeting in Accra on Tuesday, November 18, President Mahama explained that though the National Cathedral’s Board of Trustees had already commissioned and published a regular audit, the findings raised enough concerns to warrant a deeper, independent investigation.

“The board of trustees ordered an audit into the accounts of the National Cathedral. The audit was published and there were some issues that bubbled out of it,” he said.

“There are two kinds of audits. There is a normal audit where you choose your auditor. Then there is a forensic audit. We got a copy of the first audit, and as President I directed that a forensic audit be conducted. We want to know what happened, and so we are waiting for that report. Once the forensic audit is completed, we can decide on the way forward.”

President Mahama emphasised his belief in the importance of a national place of worship but insisted that such a project must be driven by collective agreement and transparency.

“I am a Christian and believe that building a house where we can worship God is a good thing,” he said.

He recounted his own involvement in church-building initiatives, including helping raise funds for the Ringway Gospel Centre of the Assemblies of God and building 10 rural church temples.

“I do believe in an inter-denominational place where we can worship, but it must be done in consultation with all of us. All of us must decide how we want to do it, what the scope is, and how much it should cost.”

He described the current projected cost of the National Cathedral as unrealistic.

“At this time and age, with all the problems we have, $400 million to build a cathedral is excessive,” he noted.

He suggested that a more modest national worship centre—one suitable for national events such as a Day of Thanksgiving—could better reflect the country’s economic circumstances.

The President assured the delegation that once the forensic audit report is available, his administration will engage in broad consultations with the Christian community to determine how to develop a dignified and affordable place of worship for the nation.