The government has spent about GH¢339 million on the National Cathedral project, which has been postponed for some time now.
Abena Osei Asare, Minister of State at the Finance Ministry, revealed this huge expenditure in Parliament on Wednesday, July 3.
She was answering to an urgent question posed by the Deputy Majority Leader, Patricia Appiagyei, on the cash given and spent on the contentious project.
The Deputy Finance Minister also stated that the National Cathedral’s accounts are now being audited.
“The government has released GH¢339 million for the National Cathedral so far. This number includes GH¢225 million paid to the National Cathedral Secretariat and GH¢113 million directly to the project consultant.
“In 2021, the project underwent a value-for-money audit. Also, Deloitte Ghana began a statutory audit of the National Cathedral of Ghana’s accounts in July 2023 and is still underway.
“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.”
The National Cathedral project, which began in 2020, has been fraught with controversy from the start. Its construction has provoked debate in numerous areas of society, with opinions ranging from the necessity and timing of such a colossal edifice to the transparency and administration of the funds set aside for its creation.
