Forensic Report on National Cathedral Ready, Under Review – Kwakye Ofosu
Attorney General reviews the report as government prepares to act on findings of financial irregularities
- Attorney General reviewing completed audit to determine next steps
- Forensic audit seeks to establish responsibility for financial irregularities
- Kwakye Ofosu says no one will be shielded if wrongdoing is established
Minister of State for Government Communications Felix Kwakye Ofosu has disclosed that the long-awaited forensic audit report into the National Cathedral has been completed and submitted to the Attorney General for review.
According to the Minister, the Attorney General received the report last Friday and is currently studying its findings to determine the appropriate course of action.
Speaking in an interview, Mr Kwakye Ofosu explained that the forensic audit was commissioned after an earlier audit by Deloitte and Touche uncovered financial irregularities in the project.
He said, however, that the initial audit did not establish the full extent of the irregularities or identify those responsible.
“Deloitte and Touche audited the financial reports of the National Cathedral, which revealed financial irregularities, but it didn’t tell all the issues,” he said.
He explained that the government subsequently ordered a forensic examination to establish who was responsible for the irregularities and whether the transactions involved were lawful.
“So we had to go further and do the forensic audit to know the people who were responsible for those irregularities and whether it was lawful or not,” he said.
Mr Kwakye Ofosu said the Attorney General authorised the Auditor-General to conduct the forensic audit, which has now been completed.
“The Attorney General received the forensic audit report last Friday and is going through it to determine the next line of action,” he stated.
The Minister stressed that he had not personally seen the report and would not comment on its specific findings until the appropriate time.
“I haven’t seen the report myself, and even if I have, I won’t speak to the issues because it is not time,” he said.
He noted that the initial audit had established that financial issues occurred, making a deeper forensic investigation necessary to determine responsibility.
“But the initial report revealed that something went wrong, so the forensic will prove those responsible,” he added.
Mr Kwakye Ofosu assured that anyone found culpable would not be shielded if the forensic audit establishes wrongdoing.
He said the Attorney General would determine the appropriate legal action based on the findings of the report.
“So if anyone is indicted, I won’t be the one to say who should face the law or not. Based on the report, the Attorney General will take the necessary steps,” he stated.
He added that the forensic audit was ultimately intended to establish clarity over expenditures on the National Cathedral project and ensure accountability for public funds.
