The Minister of State in charge of Government Communication, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has disclosed that financial irregularities linked to the controversial National Cathedral project have amounted to a total of $97 million.
This is the full cost incurred thus far, despite the project stalling at the foundation level.
Speaking at a media briefing in Accra on Friday, July 18, Mr Kwakye Ofosu stated that the amount includes a previously undisclosed $39 million outstanding payment owed to the contractor.
He noted that due to the skewed nature of the contract, additional costs continue to accumulate daily, even though construction activities have long ceased.
“National Cathedral Project amounts to $ 58 million so far, and 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 project, a flagship initiative of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, was conceived as a monument of faith and unity, intended to serve as a national place of worship and a hub for Christian activities.
Akufo-Addo had vowed to build the cathedral in honour of God upon becoming president in 2017.
However, the project has been fraught with controversies surrounding procurement breaches, lack of transparency, and questions about the use of state funds.
The recent findings are from an audit conducted by Deloitte and Touche. It revealed multiple financial and governance lapses, undermining public trust in the project’s execution and management.
The government says it remains committed to full accountability, promising further disclosures as investigations continue into what has become one of the nation’s most polarising public expenditure undertakings.
