The Minister of State in Charge of Communication, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has disclosed that an audit conducted by Deloitte and Touche into the National Cathedral project uncovered a wrongful payment of GH¢4.9 million to Sir David Adjaye and Associates.

Addressing the press on Friday, July 18, 2025, Kwakye Ofosu stated that while the Office of the President confirms a total payment of GH¢113,040,564 to the architectural firm, Sir David Adjaye and Associates reported receiving GH¢117,972,656, resulting in a discrepancy of GH¢4.9 million.

“Payment records show that GH¢87,938,750 was paid by the Ministry of Finance between September 26, 2018, and November 25, 2019. Subsequently, the Office of the President made two payments, GH¢29,654,845.29 on February 19, 2021, and GH¢369,060 on March 5, 2021, bringing the Presidency’s total contribution to GH¢30,033,906. Combined, these payments amount to the GH¢117,972,656 reported by the firm,” he noted.

The Minister also clarified that the total cost incurred on the project so far stands at $97 million, significantly higher than the widely quoted $58 million.

He explained that available evidence indicates an outstanding amount of $39 million owed to the contractor, in addition to the funds already disbursed.

“Contrary to the widely held view that total payments and contributions to the National Cathedral project amount to $58 million, there is, in fact, an outstanding payment of $39 million to the contractor. When added, this brings the total cost incurred so far, just for the hole that currently sits at the project site, to $97 million,” Kwakye Ofosu emphasised.

The project was conceived in 2017 by former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as a national place of worship and a symbol of unity, thanksgiving, and reconciliation.

However, the project has long been marred by allegations of corruption and mismanagement. President John Dramani Mahama has since directed the Auditor-General to pursue a forensic audit to establish grounds for possible prosecutions.

JKB/KA

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