The Minister of State at the Finance Ministry, Abena Osei-Asare, says the government has spent over GH¢339 million on the National Cathedral project since 2020.
The substantial expenditure on the project, which has stalled for some time, was confirmed in parliament by the minister on Wednesday, July 3.
She was responding to an urgent query raised by the Deputy Majority Leader, Patricia Appiagyei, seeking clarity on the funds allocated and spent on the contentious project.
Madam Osei-Asare added that the National Cathedral’s accounts are currently being audited.
“The total releases made for the National Cathedral by the government to date remain at GH¢339 million. This figure comprises GH¢225 million paid to the National Cathedral Secretariat and GH¢113 million paid directly to the project consultant.
“There was a value-for-money audit done on the project in 2021. Also, a statutory audit of the National Cathedral of Ghana accounts by Deloitte Ghana was started in July 2023 and is ongoing.
“Auditors had concluded the audit of the 18-month account ended December 31, 2020. Meanwhile, preparations are in place for the auditors to complete the remaining accounts for the periods ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023,” she explained.
The National Cathedral project, which commenced in 2020, has been shrouded in controversy from the onset.
Its construction has sparked debates across various sectors of society, with arguments ranging from the necessity and timing of such a structure to the transparency and management of the funds allocated for its development.
Ghana’s taxpayers have spent millions of cedis on the project, which, as of June 2024, has not progressed as the government had hoped.
An estimated $450 million is needed to complete the project, and it is not clear if that amount is yet available for construction.
By mid-2022, various church denominations had contributed GH¢2.21 million ($164,000) towards the construction of the national cathedral.
This is a large sum but not sufficient on its own to pay the remaining construction costs.