Over GH¢339m spent on National Cathedral since 2020 – Abena Osei Asare
The National Cathedral project has cost the government more than GH¢339 million, although it has been on hold for some time.
The Finance Ministry’s Minister of State, Abena Osei Asare, confirmed this significant expense in Parliament on Wednesday, July 3.
In response to Patricia Appiagyei, the Deputy Majority Leader, she was answering an urgent question about the amount of money allotted and spent on the controversial project.
The National Cathedral’s accounts are presently being audited, stated Abena Osei Asare.
“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.”
Beginning in 2020, the National Cathedral project has been hit by controversy its commencement.
The government argues the cathedral will bring enormous long-term economic benefits while transforming Ghana into a religious hub, creating jobs and accruing more revenue for the state.
The plan is for the cathedral’s 5,000-seat, two-level auditorium, which could be expanded to have an additional capacity of 15,000, to serve as a sacred space and facility for national events like state funerals and presidential inaugural services. It would also be home to Africa’s first Bible Museum and Documentation Centre. In addition, the cathedral would have a music school, an art gallery, shops and a national crypt for state burials.
But critics and the opposition accuse the government of using the project to milk state coffers in the name of religion, and some see the state-backed construction as a misplaced priority.
