President John Dramani Mahama has directed the Attorney-General to initiate a comprehensive forensic audit into the National Cathedral Project and the operations of its Secretariat, following revelations of serious financial irregularities.

The directive was announced by the Minister for Government Communication, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, during a press briefing at the Jubilee House on Friday, July 18.

He disclosed that the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, has also begun the process of lawfully terminating the contract associated with the project to prevent further financial losses to the state.

The latest move comes in response to findings from a Deloitte audit report, which exposed significant lapses in the financial management of the project.

However, Mr. Kwakye Ofosu emphasised that the Deloitte report did not cover the full breadth of the Secretariat’s operations.

“Given the scope and gravity of the concerns raised, the Auditor-General has been tasked with commissioning a forensic audit into the National Cathedral Project and the activities of its Secretariat,” he stated.

According to the Minister, further government action will be contingent upon the outcome of the forensic audit. “The Attorney-General is taking necessary legal steps to terminate the contract, and once the audit is concluded, appropriate measures will be taken in response to any identified improprieties,” he said.

The National Cathedral Project was originally conceived as a national religious and cultural landmark.

It was designed to house a Bible Museum, Biblical Garden, banquet hall, 350-seat restaurant, library, and conference centre — with the aim of promoting religious tourism and fostering a sense of national identity.

The project has, however, been the subject of mounting scrutiny amid concerns about its cost, transparency, and overall viability.