The National Cathedral project is one of many being investigated under the ORAL Initiative
The Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has revealed that a recent audit conducted by the Auditor-General has uncovered multiple breaches and financial irregularities in the dealings between the National Cathedral Secretariat and the Nehemiah Group, represented by Cary Summers.
Addressing a press conference at the Jubilee House on Friday, July 18, 2025, Kwakye Ofosu disclosed that although the contractor vacated the project site in March 2023, payments to the group have continued to date.
He noted that the Nehemiah Group continued to receive payments amounting to USD 523,521.03, despite having ceased operations on the site, a clear breach of contract governance protocols.
“Even though the contractor stopped work at the site in March 2023, payments have continued. This will impose significant costs on the state. Consequently, President Mahama has instructed the Attorney General to take legal steps to terminate this lopsided contract to save public funds. After the forensic audit, decisive action will be taken regarding any impropriety, as well as the future of the project itself,” he stated.
Kwakye Ofosu also disclosed that the Nehemiah Group received an additional US$110,630.56 to organise fundraising events in Houston and New York.
According to the audit, these efforts yielded no tangible results in donations or investments.
“This raises serious concerns about the prudence of expenditure and the absence of performance-based accountability,” he added.
The audit further revealed overlapping responsibilities and payments between the Nehemiah Group and Kubik Maltbie, a separate subcontractor.
Despite the Nehemiah Group being tasked with coordination and oversight of Phase 1 of the project, Kubik Maltbie was also contracted for similar services at a cost of US$592,500. This amount represents approximately 87% of the total US$675,000 paid to the Nehemiah Group during the same period.
“This indicates a clear case of paying two entities for the same work, with no clarity on who was actually executing the tasks and who may have received government funds unjustifiably,” Kwakye Ofosu said.
Additionally, the audit flagged a further US$24,498.17 paid to the Nehemiah Group in reimbursable expenses for activities unrelated to construction oversight, highlighting further inefficiencies in the project’s financial management.
“These findings reflect poorly on project oversight and raise broader concerns about accountability and the effective use of public resources on a project of such national significance,” he emphasised.
Kwakye Ofosu assured the public that government will act on the audit findings and ensure full accountability.
“The National Cathedral project is one of many being investigated under the ORAL Initiative. Once the forensic audit findings are finalized, they will add to the body of evidence under review. Based on the outcome, anyone found culpable will be held accountable,” he concluded.
The National Cathedral was conceived as a non-denominational Christian worship center to serve as a national place of prayer and unity under the administration of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
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