Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, has told Ghanaians to imagine what Ghana could have done with the US$97million revealed to be the cost of the National Cathedral hole.
According to Felix Kwakye, documents reveal Ghana owes the contractor an additional $39 million for the National Cathedral, raising the total project cost to $97 million, far above the widely cited $58 million.
Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the Minister of State in Charge of Communication, addressing the media on Friday, July 18, 2025, stated, “Contrary to the widely held view that total payments and contributions to the National Cathedral project amount to $58 million, there is actually an additional outstanding payment of $39 million to the contractor.
When added, this brings the total cost incurred so far for the hole that sits at the site of the project to $97 million”.
Felix Kwakye stated, “The above audit findings rock the very foundation of the project and the work of the Secretariat and raise serious questions about the use of public funds”.
“The National Cathedral Ghana was registered limited by guarantee. In view of that, the Attorney General has been directed to take legal steps… and we expect that to be done in the coming days,” he said.
Reacting to the Deloitte audit findings, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa on X wrote, “ Deloitte confirms all the parliamentary oversight I conducted on the National Cathedral.
It has always been for God and Country.
Imagine what Ghana could have done with US$97million”.
Ablakwa further reminded Ghanaians that the properties demolished for the National Cathedral are demanding compensation.
He wrote, “Don’t forget that in addition to the US$97million, the owners of multiple demolished properties are agitating for compensation”.
He boldly added that ORAL must succeed, and there ought to be justice for the people of Ghana.
The National Cathedral project was initiated in 2017 but was mired in controversy due to its high cost, the source of funding, and allegations of embezzlement of funds by its Board of Trustees.
It faced widespread criticism over the handling of its finances and execution, with several allegations of financial mismanagement and corruption surfacing throughout its development.
Meanwhile, the National Cathedral Board has stated that they are disappointed by President John Dramani Mahama’s decision to dissolve the Cathedral Board.
According to the National Cathedral Board, they have been holding talks with the Minister for Local Government and Religious Affairs regarding the National Cathedral project.
The National Cathedral Board is quoted by JOY NEWS to have stated, “We are disappointed by the President’s decision to dissolve our Board, despite ongoing talks with the Minister for Local Government and Religious Affairs”.
See the post below:
Deloitte confirms all the parliamentary oversight I conducted on the National Cathedral.
It has always been for God and Country.
Imagine what Ghana could have done with US$97million.
Don’t forget that in addition to the US$97million, the owners of multiple demolished…
— Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa (@S_OkudzetoAblak) July 18, 2025
