President John Dramani Mahama has ordered the immediate dissolution of the Board of Trustees overseeing the National Cathedral of Ghana and the closure of its Secretariat, citing serious financial irregularities uncovered by an official audit.

At a press briefing on Friday, July 18, Government Spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu revealed that the Secretariat—previously operating from the Jubilee House—was formally shut down on May 1, 2025.

“The audit findings strike at the core of the project’s integrity and raise grave concerns about the handling of public funds,” Kwakye Ofosu stated.

He further disclosed that the project, which was registered as a company limited by guarantee, will now face legal action to ensure its full dissolution.

“The National Cathedral Ghana was registered as a company limited by guarantee. Consequently, the Attorney General has been directed to initiate legal proceedings for its complete dissolution in the coming days,” he added.

Government Spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu has revealed that an audit into the National Cathedral project has exposed a GHS 4.9 million discrepancy in payments made to the architectural firm Sir David Adjaye & Associates Ltd.

Speaking at a press briefing on Friday, July 18, Mr. Ofosu said the audit found inconsistencies between official government records and the payment figures reported by the firm. According to him, while the Office of the President accounts for a total payment of GHS 113,040,564.86, Sir David Adjaye & Associates claims to have received GHS 117,972,656.00 — a difference of GHS 4,932,091.14.

“The audit report reveals troubling discrepancies in consultancy fees paid to Sir David Adjaye & Associates Ltd. for the mobilisation and design of the National Cathedral of Ghana,” he stated.

The breakdown shows that between September 26, 2018, and November 25, 2019, the Ministry of Finance paid the firm GHS 87,938,750.00. Additionally, the Office of the President made two payments:

GHS 29,664,845.29 on February 19, 2021

GHS 369,060.71 on March 5, 2021

These payments bring the total received by the firm to GHS 117,972,656.00 — matching its claims but conflicting with the official government figure.

The unexplained GHS 4.9 million shortfall has raised questions about accountability and transparency in the management of the controversial National Cathedral project.

President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed his commitment to Ghana’s infrastructural transformation with a bold pledge to commence and complete major road and market projects under his ambitious $10 billion ‘Big Push’ agenda.

During his ‘Thank You Tour’ of the Ashanti Region on Wednesday, July 16, following his resounding re-election in 2024, President Mahama outlined a comprehensive development plan to tackle traffic congestion and boost economic activity. Central to his announcement is the Greater Kumasi Bypass Project and the Accra–Kumasi Expressway, both expected to significantly ease transportation challenges and enhance the free flow of goods and people.

He inspected the long-abandoned Krofrom Market project, which has been stalled since 2007, and assured the public it would be completed and operational by the end of 2026. He also visited the Kumasi Central Market to monitor progress on current works.

Addressing a large gathering at the Kumasi Jubilee Park, President Mahama reiterated his commitment to reviving and completing numerous abandoned projects in the region. These include:

Mamponteng Market

Kejetia Market Phase Two

Afari Military Hospital

Komfo Anokye Maternity and Children’s Block

Sewua Regional Hospital

Suame Interchange Project

Boankra Inland Port

Baba Yara Sports Stadium rehabilitation

Under the ‘Big Push Agenda,’ the government plans to invest $2 billion annually over five years to close Ghana’s infrastructure deficit, which the World Bank estimates at $1.5 billion per year.

“This programme will focus on strategic infrastructure that unlocks national productivity,” Mahama said. “We’re commencing the Greater Kumasi Bypass as part of this bold initiative.”

He further pledged to begin reconstruction of roads in the Tepa, Adansi, and Manso areas.

On the long-awaited Accra–Kumasi Expressway, Mahama disclosed that feasibility and design works are already underway, with sod-cutting scheduled for early 2025. Once completed, the expressway is expected to shorten the Accra-Kumasi journey by 50km before the end of his term in 2029.

Touching on environmental issues, the President condemned illegal mining activities, emphasizing that his administration supports legal and responsible mining. He vowed to clamp down on ‘galamsey’ operations and promote sustainable practices within the mining sector.