President John Mahama has restated his view that Ghanaian taxpayers should not bear the cost of building the National Cathedral; instead, the Christian community in the country, which he believes has the numbers and resources, can fund it themselves.
Speaking during a citizens’ engagement on his tour of the Upper West Region, Mahama said he has no objection to the cathedral and even described himself as a practising Christian but objects to public money being used for it. He suggested that a modest contribution from each Christian in Ghana could cover the cost of the construction.
The President also repeated his disapproval of the project’s location, noting that the site sits among major public institutions, including Parliament, the International Conference Centre, the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, and the National Theatre. He argued that placing another large facility there would congest an area already used for state ceremonies and processions to Black Star Square.
Mahama further pointed to the demolitions carried out to clear the site, saying roughly ten judges’ residences, the Malian Ambassador’s residence, and the old passport office were demolished, with the ambassador’s residence still not replaced. He stressed that unlike other inherited projects his government has chosen to continue, the cathedral was not a matter of national policy but a personal pledge made by former President Akufo-Addo.
On accountability, Mahama said a forensic audit into the project, covering roughly $90 million in spending, has been completed and is now with the Attorney-General. He said a copy would be shared with the Christian Council of Ghana so it can review how funds were used and help determine any corrective steps.
The comments came days after the Christian Council of Ghana, on September 11, announced a technical committee drawn from various Christian groups to explore ways of reviving the stalled project.
