The construction of Ghana’s National Cathedral is set to resume following the completion of a statutory audit report. This announcement was made by Apostle Professor Opoku Onyinah, Chairman of the Board for the National Cathedral of Ghana, in a statement released on September 24.
The announcement came shortly after a meeting held on September 20 between the Board of Directors of the National Cathedral and auditors from Deloitte Ghana.
The meeting served to inform church leaders and stakeholders of the findings of the statutory audit report, which covers the period from the start of the project to December 31, 2020. This audit was commissioned by the board in response to widespread public concern over alleged mismanagement of funds and suspected corruption linked to the project.
Apostle Onyinah’s statement confirmed that the audit, now completed by Deloitte Ghana, provides the clarity and transparency that both church leadership and the public had been calling for. “The need for an audit was a key demand by the church leadership and Ghanaians in general to establish the credibility of the implementation of the project. With the completion of this first report, preparations are underway for construction to resume,” said Apostle Onyinah.
He also expressed gratitude for the continued support from the public and urged for further prayers and financial contributions as the project moves into the next phase. “We appreciate your support so far, and trust that the completion of the ongoing audit will renew your prayer and financial support for the NCG project.”
The project, which has faced several delays since its inception, has been a matter of significant public interest. The National Cathedral, when completed, is expected to serve as a place of worship and a national monument that celebrates Ghana’s Christian heritage. However, in recent years, the project has been mired in controversy due to financial irregularities, with calls from both religious leaders and citizens for greater accountability in the use of public funds.
The audit was intended to provide a detailed examination of the financial dealings of the project, especially in light of reports that $58 million of taxpayer money has been spent over the past seven years, with minimal visible progress by August 2024. The government has long promoted the cathedral as a flagship project, but its slow progress has raised concerns about its feasibility and the management of resources.
The project is estimated to cost around $450 million to complete, and it remains unclear whether the funds needed to finalize the construction are currently available. In light of this, the statement from Apostle Onyinah has sparked renewed discussion about the financial future of the project.
While taxpayer funds have supported the project thus far, significant financial shortfalls still exist. For instance, by mid-2022, church denominations across the country had contributed GH¢2.21 million ($164,000) toward the construction. Though a notable sum, it remains far from sufficient to cover the remaining costs, which have continued to grow as construction delays have mounted.
The National Cathedral project was initially launched with much enthusiasm, as it was intended to be a symbol of Ghana’s commitment to its Christian faith. The idea was to build a monumental structure that would serve not only as a place of worship but also as a cultural and religious landmark that would attract international visitors. However, as delays have stretched on and costs have risen, public perception of the project has shifted, with increasing calls for transparency and accountability.
The audit report is seen as a crucial step toward restoring public trust and ensuring that the project is carried out in a manner that reflects good governance and financial prudence. Deloitte Ghana’s involvement in the audit process is expected to lend credibility to the findings, and the completion of this first audit report is likely to reassure some skeptics about the project’s financial management.
However, the road ahead remains uncertain. While the audit may provide a clearer picture of past spending, the future of the project depends largely on the ability of the government and the church leadership to raise the necessary funds to complete the construction. With the total cost of the project estimated at $450 million and a significant portion of that still unfunded, the completion of the National Cathedral will require continued public support, both in terms of financial contributions and in terms of faith in the vision that the cathedral represents.
In the coming months, it is expected that efforts will be intensified to mobilize resources to see the project through to completion. As the construction resumes, both church leaders and government officials will be closely watched to ensure that the mistakes of the past are not repeated and that the National Cathedral is finally realized in a manner that reflects its original purpose: a unifying symbol of faith for all Ghanaians.
The statement by Apostle Onyinah has brought a renewed sense of urgency to the project, and the hope is that, with the audit now complete and preparations underway for construction to continue, the National Cathedral will soon stand as a testament to the faith, resilience, and unity of the Ghanaian people.
