Statutory audit The statutory audit of the National Cathedral of Ghana has cleared its first milestone, with auditors Deloitte Ghana reporting no adverse findings for the period ending December 31, 2020.
This marks a significant step forward for the project, which has faced public scrutiny over transparency and financial accountability.
In a meeting held on Friday, September 20, 2024, the Board of Directors of the National Cathedral of Ghana (NCG) received Deloitte’s findings, which confirmed that all receipts and expenditures related to the cathedral’s construction had been corroborated.
Deloitte also independently verified donations received nationwide and confirmed the involvement of financial institutions in the project.
“The auditors were categorical that there were no adverse findings, and proper books of accounts have been kept,” said a statement issued by Apostle Prof. Opoku Onyinah, Chairman of the NCG Board.
He added that the information provided was in full compliance with the Companies Act, 2019 (Act 922), which governs corporate financial reporting in Ghana.
This Statutory audit report forms the first instalment of an ongoing audit initiated by the Board. The audit for the year ending December 31, 2021, is still in progress, with audits for 2022 and 2023 expected to be completed by the end of the year.
The delay in completing the audit, which began in July 2023, had raised concerns. However, the Board expressed appreciation for Deloitte’s “meticulous audit processes” and the thoroughness with which all financial transactions were scrutinized.
One of the key outcomes was that the audit addressed long-standing concerns of church leaders and the general public.
“The audit has been a crucial demand from Ghanaians to establish credibility. We trust that this report will renew public confidence and support, both in prayer and in finances, as we move forward,” Apostle Onyinah remarked.
He added that the information provided was in full compliance with the Companies Act, 2019 (Act 922), which governs corporate financial reporting in Ghana.
This report forms the first instalment of an ongoing audit initiated by the Board. The audit for the year ending December 31, 2021, is still in progress, with audits for 2022 and 2023 expected to be completed by the end of the year.
The delay in completing the audit, which began in July 2023, had raised concerns. However, the Board expressed appreciation for Deloitte’s “meticulous audit processes” and the thoroughness with which all financial transactions were scrutinized.
One of the key outcomes was that the audit addressed long-standing concerns of church leaders and the general public.
“This audit has been a crucial demand from Ghanaians to establish credibility. We trust that this report will renew public confidence and support, both in prayer and in finances, as we move forward,” Apostle Onyinah remarked.
He expressed gratitude to the Most Rev Dr Paul Boafo, the Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church of Ghana; Rev Dr Cyril Fayose, the General Secretary of the Christian Council of Ghana; and Very Rev.Fr.Clement Kwasi Adjei, Secretary General, Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC) for facilitating the meeting.
The Board, he said, is hopeful that with the completion of the ongoing audits, the National Cathedral project will regain momentum and fulfil its vision as a significant national symbol.
