In a significant development that underscores a growing global scrutiny of large-scale public projects, the government of Ghana is taking decisive legal steps towards the potential termination of the National Cathedral project, a monumental undertaking designed by renowned architect Sir David Adjaye. This move follows a comprehensive audit into the project’s finances, which has unearthed a “litany of financial irregularities” and sparked widespread debate across the nation. Once envisioned as a symbol of national unity and faith, the controversial $400 million cathedral, located near Ghana’s parliament in Accra, has faced mounting criticism over its burgeoning costs and alleged lack of transparency, despite significant taxpayer money already spent on a site that remains largely unbuilt. This contentious decision signals a potential halt to one of the previous administration’s flagship initiatives, raising critical questions about accountability, public trust, and the future of ambitious architectural endeavors in developing nations.
A Project Steeped in Vision and Controversy
The National Cathedral of Ghana, a grand architectural vision conceived by Sir David Adjaye, was initially commissioned in 2018 by former President Nana Akufo-Addo. It was intended to be more than just a place of worship; it was envisioned as a monumental symbol of national unity, a non-denominational Christian center, and a significant cultural hub. The proposed design included a 5,000-seater sanctuary, a Bible museum, a biblical garden, and other facilities aimed at promoting religious tourism and national cohesion. This ambitious project aimed to provide a dedicated space for national religious services and foster a sense of shared identity in a nation with a significant Christian population.
However, from its very inception, the project has been mired in considerable controversy. Public debate intensified over several critical issues, including its perceived necessity amidst pressing national economic challenges, questions surrounding its legal status, and concerns about accountability in its funding and execution. Critics argued that the substantial resources earmarked for the cathedral could be better allocated to essential public services such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure development, particularly given Ghana’s economic struggles. Despite these widespread concerns, the project pressed on, becoming a focal point of public discourse and a subject of intense scrutiny regarding government priorities and resource management.
Financial Irregularities and the Forensic Audit
The recent decision by President John Dramani Mahama’s administration to consider terminating the National Cathedral project stems directly from the damning findings of an independent audit. Commissioned by the current president and conducted by the reputable accountancy firm Deloitte & Touche, this audit delved into the financial activities and operational management of the National Cathedral Secretariat. The audit report, whose findings were publicly announced, uncovered what the government described as “a litany of financial irregularities, procurement breaches, and a ‘general lack of due process’.” These findings have significantly fueled public outrage and intensified calls for accountability.
Among the key concerns raised by the audit were “troubling variances in consultancy fees paid” to Adjaye Associates. While the Office of the President reported a payment of GHS 113,040,564.86 (approximately $10.6 million at the time) to the design firm, Adjaye Associates themselves claimed to have received GHS 117,972,656.00 (approximately $11.2 million), an initial unexplained difference of GHS 4,932,091.14 (around $463,000). Although a subsequent detailed review by Deloitte & Touche, after seeking clarification from both parties, confirmed that the higher amount had indeed been paid as part of the contract, other significant issues persisted. The audit also highlighted payments made to Adjaye Associates, totaling GHS 15,738,750 (around $1.48 million), before an official agreement was signed. Furthermore, the firm reportedly received payments for “additional work,” including a 350-seater restaurant and museums, estimated at around $12.4 million, which were not initially captured in the original contract. While Adjaye Associates asserts that “all additional work was covered by variations to the original contract (made in 2019) and these addendums were all signed-off accordingly before works begun,” these revelations have raised serious questions about procurement transparency and due diligence in the project’s early stages.
The Mounting Cost and Stalled Construction
Despite the ambitious vision and significant financial outlay, the National Cathedral project has made little tangible progress on the ground, becoming, as some critics wryly put it, “the world’s most expensive hole.” Public reports indicate that approximately $58 million of taxpayer money had already been spent on the $400 million cathedral, even before any substantial construction work had begun. More recent revelations from the current government indicate the true cost could be even higher, with figures suggesting up to $97 million has been disbursed or committed, far exceeding initial public understanding. This substantial expenditure, with so little to show for it on the ground, has intensified public frustration and calls for a complete halt to the project.
The building site, prominently located near Ghana’s parliament in Accra, is currently vacant. Preparatory work involved the controversial demolition of several state buildings, including judges’ residences and offices for financial practices, to make way for the cathedral. However, construction work itself is yet to commence in any meaningful way, with the site largely remaining an empty, excavated plot. Work on the project reportedly stalled in March 2023, with contractors halting operations due to unpaid invoices. This stagnation, coupled with the ballooning costs and a persistent lack of transparency in funding, has cemented the project’s status as a symbol of financial mismanagement and unchecked ambition in the eyes of many Ghanaians.
Legal Ramifications and the Path Forward
In light of the audit’s findings and mounting public pressure, President John Dramani Mahama’s administration has taken decisive legal action. The Attorney General and Minister for Justice has been formally tasked with initiating legal steps to lawfully terminate the contract for the National Cathedral project. This measure is explicitly aimed at “preventing further costs and losses to the state,” signaling a clear intent to cut financial hemorrhaging from a project that has become a significant fiscal burden. The government’s spokesperson, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, emphasized that “decisive action will be taken regarding any impropriety determined and the future of the project itself” once a further, more comprehensive forensic audit is complete.
This forensic audit, which has been commissioned by the Auditor-General, is intended to delve deeper into the project’s financial operations, covering areas that the initial Deloitte & Touche audit may not have fully explored. This layered approach to investigation underscores the government’s commitment to full transparency and accountability. The current administration has also moved to dissolve the Board of Trustees overseeing the National Cathedral and permanently close its Secretariat, effectively dismantling the organizational structure that managed the project under the previous government. While the legal process for contract termination is underway, the future of the vacant site remains uncertain. There have been discussions, though not yet a firm decision, about potentially repurposing the site for other public infrastructure, such as a cultural convention center. However, the immediate priority for the government appears to be the lawful disentanglement from the existing contracts and ensuring accountability for any financial irregularities.
Broader Context and Global Implications
The controversy surrounding Ghana’s National Cathedral project is not an isolated incident but reflects broader challenges often faced by large-scale public and politically charged architectural endeavors, particularly in developing nations. The project became a flashpoint for debate over the role of state funding in religious projects, especially in a country grappling with significant socio-economic needs. While the former administration asserted that the cathedral would be primarily privately funded, reports of substantial taxpayer money being diverted to the project ignited widespread outrage and allegations of broken promises.
Furthermore, the project’s troubles have occurred against a backdrop of separate allegations of sexual misconduct made against Sir David Adjaye by former employees in 2023. While Adjaye has vehemently denied these allegations, they led to his withdrawal from several other high-profile projects globally, including the Africa Institute in Sharjah and the International Slavery Museum in Liverpool. Although the Ghanaian government’s termination steps are explicitly tied to financial irregularities and not directly to these personal allegations, the confluence of controversies has undoubtedly compounded public skepticism and scrutiny of the National Cathedral project. The situation in Ghana serves as a cautionary tale for governments and architectural firms embarking on ambitious, publicly funded projects, highlighting the paramount importance of robust governance, financial transparency, and responsiveness to public sentiment to ensure the long-term viability and success of such endeavors.
