Construction works to resume on National Cathedral project
The Board Chairman of the National Cathedral Ghana, Apostle Professor Opoku Onyinah, says Auditors of the project, Deloitte Ghana, has confirmed that the managers of the project have followed due process in managing the project's finances.
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According to him, “proper books of accounts have been kept and the information and explanation provided are in the manner required by the Companies Act, 2019, (922)."
In a letter dated September 24, 2024, titled "Re: Statutory Audit Report of the National Cathedral of Ghana for the period ended 31 December 2020," and addressed to heads of churches and christian leaders, Prof. Opoku Onyinah explained that "the need for an audit was a key demand by the church leadership and Ghanaians in general to establish credibility of the implementation of the project."
He said with the completion of this first report, preparations are underway for construction to resume.
The National Cathedral Ghana Board Chair explained that "On Friday September 20, 2024, the Board of Directors of the National Cathedral of Ghana (NCG), convened a meeting for the Auditors, Deloitte, to brief Church leaders on the statutory audit report from the inception of the project to the period ended 31 December 2020 by Deloitte Ghana has been completed."
Below is a copy of the statement
TO HEADS OF CHURCHES AND CHRISTIAN LEADERS
RE: STATUTORY AUDIT REPORT OF THE NATIONAL CATHEDRAL OF GHANA FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020.
Greetings in the name of our dear Lord Jesus Christ.
On Friday September 20, 2024, the Board of Directors of the National Cathedral of Ghana (NCG), convened a meeting for the Auditors, Deloitte, to brief Church leaders on the statutory audit report from the inception of the project to the period ended 31 December 2020 by Deloitte Ghana has been completed.
This forms the first report of an on-going statutory audit by Deloitte Ghana initiated by the Board. The audit for the year ended, 31 December 2021 is also in progress, while the remaining audits comprising the years ended, 31 December 2022 and 2023 are planned for completion latest by the end of the year.
The Board has been concerned by the length of time it has taken to complete the audit, which formally started in July 2023. However, upon receipt of the first report, we appreciate the meticulous audit processes adopted by Deloitte, including the thorough circularisation procedures that involved all parties related to monies received and expenditures on the project. This has ensured that:
1.The auditors have confirmed and corroborated all receipts and expenditures on the project since inception by all parties, including the state.
2.The auditors independently confirmed donations received by NCG nationwide.
3. The auditors performed the relevant confirmations from all the financial institutions involved in the project.
In the presentation, and in answers to questions after the presentation, the Auditors were categorical that there was no adverse findings, and: “proper books of accounts have been kept and the information and explanation provided are in the manner required by the Companies Act, 2019,(922).
We are grateful for the church leadership that facilitated the meeting, in particular 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).
The need for an audit was a key demand by the church leadership and Ghanaians in general to establish credibility of the implementation of the project. With the completion of this first report, preparations are underway for construction to resume.
We appreciate your support so far, and trust that the completion of the on-going audit will renew your prayer and financial support for the NCG project.
Yours Sincerely,
Apostle Prof Opoku Onyinah
Chairman, NCG Board