National Cathedral ‘Chop-Chop’ Audit Report Sparks Panic

A forensic report by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) into the controversial National Cathedral project is reportedly causing unease among some individuals linked to the project, following the submission of the report to the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr Dominic Ayine.

The report, which was presented to Dr Ayine on Friday, August 7, is said to contain significant findings on the expenditure and management of funds committed to the National Cathedral project.

Although the full report has not yet been made public, the Attorney-General has raised concerns about the scale of expenditure on the project, suggesting that the funds could have been used to complete some stalled hospitals under the Agenda 111 programme.

The development comes amid renewed calls by some religious leaders for the government to revive or complete the National Cathedral project.

Speaking at the district launch of the Free Primary Health Care programme in the Bolga East Constituency during President John Dramani Mahama’s “Resetting Ghana Tour” of the Upper East Region, Dr Ayine questioned the manner in which the project was conceived and executed.

“Mr President, it is better to complete Agenda 111 than to spend money on a national cathedral,” he said, adding that the money spent on the project, could have been used to complete district hospitals.

Dr Ayine further criticised the approach adopted in constructing the religious facility.

“I have the report. You don’t build a house of God in the manner in which they went about it,” he stated.

“Imprison me” — Kusi Boateng

But former Secretary to the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral, Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng, even before his name could be mentioned, has declared that he is prepared to go to prison rather than conceal his relationship with former Vice-President and NPP flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.

In a video circulating on social media, Rev. Kusi Boateng defended his friendship with Dr Bawumia and his wife, Hajia Samira Bawumia, insisting that he would not distance himself from them because of criticism.

“If for this reason, anybody wants to imprison me, go ahead,” he said.

He recalled having served a previous prison term, saying he was not afraid of returning to prison.

“Prison is not for animals. It is for human beings. I have been there. I didn’t die. I came back,” he added.

Rev. Kusi Boateng insisted that his friendship with Dr Bawumia was not a crime and that he would not hide the relationship to satisfy his critics.

“I don’t care whoever thinks about it. Dr Bawumia is my friend and will continue to be my friend. I will not hide. I am not a hypocrite,” he said.

He described the former Vice-President and his wife as close friends and family.

Cathedral investigations

Rev. Kusi Boateng’s comments come at a time when the National Cathedral project is facing renewed scrutiny following the completion of the latest forensic audit.

The project has been subjected to investigations by several institutions, including the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), Deloitte, the National Investigations Bureau and PwC.

The former National Cathedral Secretariat was dissolved by President Mahama in May 2025, while legal processes were initiated towards the dissolution of the Board of Trustees.

A Deloitte audit covering the Secretariat’s operations from 2021 to 2023 identified financial and procurement irregularities and raised concerns about the management of public funds.

Government subsequently directed the Auditor-General to commission a broader forensic audit after concerns that the Deloitte exercise did not cover the full scope of the project and its Secretariat.

Dr Ayine disclosed in January 2026 that his office could not proceed with any prosecution relating to the National Cathedral until the forensic audit was completed.

In December 2025, he said PwC had made significant progress and was nearing completion of the exercise.

Kusi Boateng controversy

Rev. Kusi Boateng became a prominent figure in the National Cathedral controversy following a petition filed by North Tongu MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, before CHRAJ in 2023.

The petition raised allegations including conflict of interest, the use of multiple identities and financial impropriety.

CHRAJ subsequently cleared Rev. Kusi Boateng of the specific allegation that he possessed two passports under different names.

The commission found that he held one passport under the name Kwabena Adu Gyamfi and found no evidence that he had been issued another passport under the name Kusi Boateng.

However, CHRAJ recommended further investigation and possible prosecution of members of the National Cathedral Board of Trustees over procurement-related issues surrounding the award of the construction contract to Ribade Company.

The controversy also involved a GH¢2.6 million payment to JNS Talent Centre Limited. CHRAJ found that the company did not provide services for the payment but concluded that the money represented reimbursement to Rev. Kusi Boateng for funds he had advanced to contractors when the Secretariat was experiencing financial difficulties.

The dispute later moved to the courts. In March 2026, the Court of Appeal dismissed an appeal filed by Rev. Kusi Boateng against Mr Ablakwa, holding that the MP’s claims were grounded in truth and public interest. The court also awarded GH¢40,000 in costs against Rev. Kusi Boateng.

With the PwC forensic report now in the hands of the Attorney-General, attention is expected to turn to its findings and whether they will trigger further investigations, prosecutions or other legal action.

The National Cathedral was conceived under the Akufo-Addo administration as a major religious and national landmark. However, the project has faced sustained public criticism over its funding, expenditure, procurement arrangements and alleged financial irregularities.

The latest developments have also intensified the debate over whether scarce public resources should be committed to the Cathedral at a time when the country continues to face pressing needs in healthcare, education and infrastructure.