International audit firm Deloitte, after over one year of independent scrutiny of the books of the National Cathedral of Ghana (NCG), has confirmed that the Secretariat kept up-to-date and clean financial records of all her receipts and expenditures for the year ending, 31 December 2020.
In a letter addressed to heads of churches and Christian leaders dated Tuesday, 24 September 2024, and signed by Apostle Professor Opoku Onyinah, chairman of the National Cathedral of Ghana Board, the NCG said it convened a meeting on Friday, 20 September 2024, for Deloitte to brief church leaders in the country on the statutory audit report from the inception of the project to the period ending 31 December 2020.
Thorough investigation
“This forms the first report of an ongoing 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, the NCG communique read.
“This has ensured that; one, the auditors have confirmed and corroborated all receipts and expenditures on the project since inception by all parties, including the state. Two, the auditors independently confirmed donations received by NCG nationwide, and third, 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 were 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),” the NCG communique further read.
Resumption of construction
In the statement, the NCG pointed out that “the need for an audit” into the books of the National Cathedral of Ghana “was a key demand by the church leadership in the nation and Ghanaians in general to establish the credibility of the implementation of the project.”
The statement indicated that “with the completion of this first report,” the NCG will commence preparations for the construction of the project to resume after over a year since the project was halted to allow the audit to be completed.
Appreciation
“We appreciate your support so far and trust that the completion of the ongoing audit will renew your prayer and financial support for the National Cathedral of Ghana project,” Apostle Professor Opoku Onyinah’s statement read.
“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 communique concluded.
Source: Asaaseradio.com
