President John Dramani Mahama has stated that the future of the controversial National Cathedral project will be decided only after an ongoing forensic audit is completed.
The President disclosed this on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, during a courtesy call by a delegation from the Christian Council of Ghana, led by Vice Chairman Rev. Enoch Thompson, at the Jubilee House.
While acknowledging the Council’s appeal for the government to recommit to the project under a more accountable and inclusive framework, President Mahama said a regular audit earlier commissioned by the National Cathedral Board of Trustees had raised serious concerns that necessitated a deeper probe.
“The board of trustees ordered an audit into the accounts of the National Cathedral. The audit was published and there were some issues that came out of it,” he explained.
“There are two kinds of audits – a normal audit where you choose your auditor, and then there is a forensic audit. We got a copy of the first audit, and as President I directed that a forensic audit be conducted. We want to know exactly what happened. We are waiting for that report. Once the forensic audit is completed, we can decide on the way forward,” he added.
President Mahama, a Christian, reaffirmed his personal belief in the value of a national inter-denominational place of worship but stressed that any such project must enjoy broad consultation and reflect Ghana’s current economic realities.
“I am a Christian and believe that building a house where we can worship God is a good thing. I do believe in an inter-denominational place where we can worship, but it must be done in consultation with all of us – how we want to do it, what the scope is, and how much it should cost,” he said.
He described the current projected cost of US$400 million as excessive.
“At this time and age, with all the problems we have, $400 million to build a cathedral is excessive,” he stated.
The President suggested that a more modest national worship centre suitable for events such as Thanksgiving services would be more appropriate.
He assured the Christian Council that, upon receipt of the forensic audit report, his administration will engage the Christian community and the wider public to decide on a dignified, affordable, and truly national place of worship.
The delegation had proposed that funding be broadened to include churches, the private sector, and international partners, and that the cathedral be positioned as an inter-denominational symbol that unites Ghanaians.