The President has ordered a comprehensive forensic audit into the activities of the National Cathedral Secretariat, emphasising transparency and accountability in managing the contentious project.
Addressing a press conference at Jubilee House in Accra, the Minister of State in charge of Government Communication, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, disclosed that the Secretariat had been dissolved since May 2025.
Additionally, the Attorney General has been directed to initiate legal processes to dissolve the Board of Trustees responsible for overseeing the project.
Referring to recent findings from the Deloitte and Touche audit report as “damning,” the Minister assured that the report will be publicly available to ensure transparency.
“The audit report reveals troubling discrepancies in consultancy fees paid to Sir David Adjaye & Associates Ltd. for the mobilisation and design of the National Cathedral of Ghana. While the Office of the President confirms a total payment of GH¢113,040,564.86 only, the firm reports having received GH¢117,972,656.00 — a variance of GH¢4,932,091.14 that remains unexplained,” he said.
“Payment records show that GH¢87,938,750.00 was paid by the Ministry of Finance between 26th September 2018 and 25th November 2019.
“Subsequently, the Office of the President made two payments: GH¢29,664,845.29 on 19th February 2021 and GH¢369,060.71 on 5th March 2021 — bringing the presidency’s total contribution to GH¢30,033,906.00. Combined, these payments amount to the GH¢117,972,656.00 received by the firm.”
The President further instructed that, following the forensic audit, stringent measures will be implemented if any financial mismanagement or misconduct is uncovered.
The earlier audit, he said, showed: “Difference in payments and outstanding amount owed to the Nehemiah Group.”
“The audit also draws attention to notable discrepancies in the financial transactions between the Government of Ghana and The Nehemiah Group, a consultant on the National Cathedral project.
“According to the Office of the President, a total of $4,281,702.59 has been paid to Nehemiah. However, The Nehemiah Group confirms receipt of $4,341,702.59 — indicating a difference of $60,000 that remains unaccounted for,” he indicated.
“More concerning is the wide variation in the amounts both parties claim are outstanding. While the Office of the President indicates an outstanding balance of $1,851,528.00. The Nehemiah Group states that only $155,616.23 remains unpaid — a difference of nearly $1.7 million.
“These inconsistencies point to significant lapses in contract and payment reconciliation processes, and they call for immediate investigation to uphold transparency and fiscal responsibility,” Mr. Ofosu said.
He indicated that the government remains committed to upholding accountability and that if any impropriety is identified during this audit, the individuals responsible will face legal consequences.
Meanwhile, all existing contracts associated with the Secretariat have been ordered terminated by the Attorney General to protect public funds as investigations continue.
Action on audit findings
Mr. Ofosu said the “audit findings rock the very foundation of the project and the work of the Secretariat and raise serious questions about the use of public funds.”
Consequently, President John Dramani Mahama has directed that the following steps be taken.
- The National Cathedral Secretariat, which used to be here at the Presidency, stands dissolved as of 1st May, 2025.
- Legal steps are being taken to dissolve the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral
- The Deloitte and Touche audit report will be published after this briefing
- Despite the damning findings contained in the Deloitte audit report, it does not cover the full scope of operations of the National Cathedral Secretariat and the project itself. The Auditor-General has therefore been requested to commission a forensic audit into the National Cathedral Project and the activities of the Secretariat.
- The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice is taking steps to ensure the lawful termination of the contract to prevent further costs and losses to the state.
- After the forensic audit, decisive action will be taken regarding any impropriety determined and the future of the project itself.
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