President John Dramani Mahama has officially dissolved the National Cathedral Secretariat, effective May 1, 2025, following the release of a scathing audit report by Deloitte and Touche that exposed widespread financial irregularities and mismanagement.
The Secretariat, which was previously housed under the Office of the President, came under intense scrutiny after the audit revealed a litany of procurement breaches, unsupported expenditures, and other financial malpractices during the period between 2021 and 2023.
According to portions of the audit report seen by this outlet, several key transactions within the Secretariat were not backed by appropriate documentation, while millions of cedis in public funds were allegedly disbursed without due process. The report further highlighted the absence of competitive bidding processes in key procurement decisions and the lack of transparency in project expenditures.
In a statement from the Presidency, President Mahama described the findings as “deeply troubling and unacceptable,” emphasizing his administration’s commitment to restoring accountability in the use of public resources.
“This decision is part of broader efforts to clean up the public sector and restore public confidence in institutions,” the statement noted. “No individual or institution will be above scrutiny or shielded from accountability.”
The National Cathedral project, envisioned as a monumental religious and national symbol, has been mired in controversy since its inception, with critics citing issues of misplaced priorities, lack of financial transparency, and increasing costs.
Civil society organizations, religious leaders, and members of the public have welcomed the dissolution, calling for further investigations and potential prosecutions of individuals involved in the financial mismanagement.
Meanwhile, sources within the Presidency have hinted at the establishment of an independent commission to oversee all future state-funded infrastructure projects of national significance, including any revised plans for the cathedral.
As of now, it remains unclear what will become of the partially constructed structure and whether the project will be abandoned entirely or restructured under a new framework.
Deloitte and Touche’s full audit report is expected to be made publicly available in the coming weeks.
