The Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral has been exonerated by international accounting and auditing firm, Deloitte, following an audit of the controversial project.
In its report, Deloitte found no adverse financial irregularities in the National Cathedral project. The firm confirmed that “proper books of accounts have been kept and the information and explanations provided are in line with the requirements of the Companies Act, 2019 (Act 922).”
This was disclosed in a statement issued by Apostle Professor Opoku Onyina, Chairman of the National Cathedral Board, after a meeting between Deloitte and church leaders on Friday, September 20, 2024.
The Board acknowledged concerns over the length of time it took to complete the audit, which began in July 2023. However, the Board expressed appreciation for the meticulous audit procedures undertaken by Deloitte, including comprehensive checks with all parties involved in the project’s financial dealings.
The National Cathedral project has faced various allegations of financial impropriety, especially from North Tongu MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa. He had earlier suggested that some individuals could be charged with causing financial loss to the state.
However, the statement by Prof. Onyina after the auditors’ meeting emphasized that Deloitte found no evidence of financial misconduct. The auditors reiterated that proper accounting records were maintained throughout the project, dismissing concerns of financial mismanagement.
Below is a the full statement…
On Friday September 20, 2024 the Board of Directors of the National Cathedral of Ghana (NCG), convened a meeting for the Auditors, Deloitte, to brief Church leaders on the statutory audit report from the inception of the project to the period ended 31 December 2020 by Deloitte Ghana has been completed.
This forms the first report of an on-going statutory audit by Deloitte Ghana initiated by the Board. The audit for the year ended, 31 December 2021 is also in progress, while the remaining audits comprising the years ended, 31 December 2022 and 2023 are planned for completion latest by the end of the year.
The Board has been concerned by the length of time it has taken to complete the audit, which formally started in July 2023. However, upon receipt of the first report, we appreciate the meticulous audit processes adopted by Deloitte, including the thorough circularisation procedures that involved all parties related to monies received and expenditures on the project. This has ensured that:
- The auditors have confirmed and corroborated all receipts and expenditures on the project since inception by all parties, including the state.
- The auditors independently confirmed donations received by NCG nationwide.
- The auditors performed the relevant confirmations from all the financial institutions involved in the project.
In the presentation, and in answers to questions after the presentation, the Auditors were categorical that there was no adverse findings, and: “proper books of accounts have been kept and the information and explanation provided are in the manner required by the Companies Act, 2019,(922).
We are grateful for the church leadership that facilitated the meeting, in particular Most Rev Dr Paul Boafo, the Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church of Ghana; Rev Dr Cyril Fayose, the General Secretary of the Christian Council of Ghana; and Very Rev. Fr. Clement Kwasi Adjei, Secretary General, Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC).
The need for an audit was a key demand by the church leadership and Ghanaians in general to establish credibility of the implementation of the project. With the completion of this first report, preparations are underway for construction to resume.
We appreciate your support so far, and trust that the completion of the on-going audit will renew your prayer and financial support for the NCG project.
