President John Dramani Mahama has declared that the future of the National Cathedral project hinges on the outcome of a forensic audit, underscoring the administration’s commitment to transparency, broad national consultation, and realistic budgeting. The announcement came during a courtesy visit by the Christian Council of Ghana to Jubilee House on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. The Council, led by Vice Chairman Rev. Enoch Thompson, urged the government to reaffirm its dedication to completing the cathedral under a more accountable and inclusive framework. Acknowledging Ghana’s current economic challenges, the Council emphasized that a well-managed cathedral project could serve as a lasting spiritual and cultural landmark for the nation.
President Mahama explained that while the National Cathedral’s Board of Trustees had already commissioned a routine audit, the findings raised concerns that necessitated a deeper, independent review.
“The Board of Trustees ordered an audit into the accounts of the National Cathedral. The audit was published, and some issues bubbled out of it,” he said. “There are two kinds of audits: a normal audit where you choose your auditor, and a forensic audit. We received the first audit report, and as President, I directed a forensic audit to be conducted. We want to know exactly what happened, and so we are awaiting that report. Once it is completed, we will decide on the way forward.”
Emphasizing his personal belief in the importance of a national place of worship, President Mahama stressed that such a project must be driven by collective agreement and full transparency.
“I am a Christian and believe that building a house where we can worship God is a good thing,” he stated. All of us must decide how we want to do it, what the scope is, and how much it should cost,” he said, describing the current projected cost of $400 million as “excessive” given the country’s economic realities.
President Mahama suggested that a more modest national worship center, suitable for events like a national Day of Thanksgiving, would better reflect Ghana’s present circumstances. He however assured the Christian Council that once the forensic audit report is available, his administration will engage in broad consultations with the Christian community to chart a dignified, affordable path forward for the nation’s place of worship.
