What was meant to be Ghana’s most ambitious religious and cultural edifice has been reduced to a cautionary tale of financial recklessness. According to a government-commissioned audit by Deloitte and Touche, the National Cathedral Project has cost the Ghanaian taxpayer $97 million, with no structure to show for it.

Government spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu laid bare the figures: “Contrary to the widely held view that total payments and commitments to the National Cathedral Project amounts to $58 million so far, there is an additional outstanding $39 million payment due the contractor.”

According to Mr Ofosu, the audit reveals that major disbursements were made to contractors and consultants without approved agreements, with payments often exceeding legally sanctioned amounts. 

One of the most glaring issues involved a GHS 4.9 million discrepancy in payments to Sir David Adjaye & Associates Ltd. Additionally, the contract with Ribade JV — the main contractor — featured shifting and contradictory cost estimates, from $261.9 million in the signed agreement to $286.4 million in official figures.

In one example, The Nehemiah Group was paid $523,521.03 even after its contract expired and was never renewed.

“These inconsistencies point to significant lapses in contract and payment reconciliation processes,” 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.