John Mahama, who was inaugurated for his second term as Ghanaian president, announced an official review of the huge scheme to look at whether there had been any misuse of public funds.His predecessor, Nana Akufo-Addo, first unveiled plans for the landmark building in 2018. The proposal features a 5,000-seat auditorium, a museum, a crypt and extensive gardens and would be used for occasions of national import, such as presidential inaugurations and state funerals.Although Akufo-Addos government said the cathedral would be privately funded, the BBC reports around 47 million of taxpayers' money has been spent on the project, which ground to a halt a few years ago.AdvertisementAccording to the broadcaster, pressure had been mounting on authorities to drop the project [that] has divided opinions in a country hit by its worst economic crisis in a generation. Last year the International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailed Ghana out with 2.5 billion of financial support and inflation is currently running at 23.8 per cent.The BBC reported that Mahama had used a thanksgiving service on Sunday (12 January), to announce a review of the scheme, saying: The commission on human rights and administrative justice (CHRAJ) directed government to audit the project and investigate any misuse of public funds. We would soon activate such an investigation into the project.Mahama suggested the scheme could, potentially, be redrawn to a reach a more reasonable budget, potentially on another site.He added: [In] the current circumstances that Ghana is going through, it makes no sense to achieve a project at a whopping sum of [330 million].The BBC reported that Mahamas announcement was followed a day later by the countrys new finance minister Cassiel Ato, telling a parliamentary committee the government would work to cut off wasteful expenditure and the national cathedral project [was] one of them.While in opposition, the now-elected National Democratic Congress party raised questions over the appointment of Ghanaian-British architect David Adjayes firm to the job.In 2022 the AJ reported allegations made by the party that the practice had been given the contract without recourse to public procurement law. This allegation was strongly rejected by project backer, the National Cathedral of Ghana Secretariat.It is understood Adjaye Associates was originally appointed by the office of the president in 2019, on fees worth 17 million, or 10 per cent of the initial project estimate of 180 million.AdvertisementConstruction of the scheme began in March 2020 but stopped in 2022 with more than 200 workers made redundant, according to local news outlets. Aerial pictures suggested the 5.5ha site has been cleared, but work on an above-ground structure has not started. Source:Ed ReeveNational Cathedral of GhanaThe Cathedral scheme was the brainchild of Akufo-Addo, who vowed to build a temple to thank God for his successful presidential election campaign in 2016.Adjaye Associates contract was as lead consultant on the project National Cathedral of Ghana. That contract is understood to have specified 23 project roles, including architect, project manager, structural engineer, civil engineer, landscape architect, quantity surveyor, envelope engineer, transport engineer and geotechnical consultant. It is believed the practice worked with a team which includes 14 other consultants.Adjaye Associates declined to comment. The Ghanaian Public Procurement Authority and the National Cathedral of Ghana Secretariat have been contacted for comment.In 2023 allegations of sexual misconduct against practice founder David Adjaye reported in the Financial Times sent shockwaves through the profession and led the company's clients to cancel a series of projects. The allegations have always been strongly denied by lawyers speaking on his behalf.In a statement to the newspaper Adjaye said: I absolutely reject any claims of sexual misconduct, abuse or criminal wrongdoing. These allegations are untrue, distressing for me and my family and run counter to everything I stand for.But he went on to say: I am ashamed to say that I entered into relationships which, though entirely consensual, blurred the boundaries between my professional and personal lives.