The government has uncovered what it describes as serious financial irregularities and overlapping roles involving The Nehemiah Group, a key foreign consultant engaged in the controversial National Cathedral project.
At a press conference held at the Jubilee House on Friday, July 18, Government Spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu disclosed that a recent audit revealed several breaches of contract and financial mismanagement in transactions between the National Cathedral Secretariat and The Nehemiah Group, led by Mr. Cary Summers.
Mr. Kwakye Ofosu explained that although the original contract, signed on March 9, 2020, was set for a one-year term and required mutual agreement for renewal, no such renewal occurred. However, payments to the group continued regardless, totaling USD 523,521.03, a clear violation of contract governance procedures.
The audit also found that The Nehemiah Group was paid an additional USD 110,630.56 to organize fundraising events in Houston and New York. However, these efforts reportedly failed to generate any measurable donations or investment commitments.
One of the most concerning findings, Kwakye Ofosu noted, was the duplication of roles and payments between The Nehemiah Group and another contractor, Kubik Maltbie. While The Nehemiah Group had been contracted for coordination and oversight during the project’s first phase, Kubik Maltbie was also hired to perform similar tasks at a cost of USD 592,500.
The report further highlighted a payment of USD 24,498.17 to The Nehemiah Group in reimbursable expenses for activities unrelated to construction oversight, raising additional concerns over the project’s financial management.
The government has pledged to act on the audit findings and ensure accountability for all parties involved.