The National Cathedral Project, initially envisioned as Ghana’s most ambitious religious and cultural edifice, has become a cautionary tale of financial mismanagement. A government-commissioned audit by Deloitte and Touche revealed that the project has cost Ghanaian taxpayers $97 million, yet there is no structure to show for it.
Government spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu provided clarity on the financials, stating, “Contrary to the widely held belief that total payments and commitments to the National Cathedral Project amount to $58 million so far, there is an additional outstanding payment of $39 million owed to the contractor.” The audit indicated that significant payments were made to contractors and consultants without approved agreements, and many payments exceeded the legally sanctioned amounts.
One particularly troubling finding was a discrepancy of GHS 4.9 million in payments to Sir David Adjaye & Associates Ltd. Furthermore, the contract with Ribade JV, the main contractor, displayed inconsistent and contradictory cost estimates, with the signed agreement listing a figure of $261.9 million, while official figures stated $286.4 million.
In another example, The Nehemiah Group was paid $523,521.03 even after its contract had expired and was never renewed. “These inconsistencies highlight significant lapses in the processes for contract management and payment reconciliation,” Mr. Kwakye Ofosu explained.
The report also unearthed irregular transactions including a GHS 2.6 million “loan” from a company owned by a trustee, JNS Talent Centre Limited, which was repaid without any traceable loan agreement. As Ghana continues to grapple with rising public debt and limited fiscal space, the Cathedral scandal raises serious questions about how resources are managed, even at the highest levels of government.
By: GraphicOnline
