Ghana’s newly elected president, John Mahama, has announced plans to investigate the contentious $400 million National Cathedral project, which has drawn sharp criticism in the midst of the nation’s ongoing economic crisis. The project, initiated under former President Nana Akufo-Addo, has become a focal point of public debate over its cost and transparency.
The National Cathedral was envisioned as a landmark for all Christians in Ghana, intended to host national religious services, a Bible museum, and a conference center. Ghana, where over 70% of the population identifies as Christian, initially embraced the idea with mixed enthusiasm. Akufo-Addo had promised that the project would be privately funded, yet $58 million of public funds has already been spent, with little to show but a gaping crater on a prime plot in central Accra.
The site, formerly home to state buildings and judicial residences, was cleared for the project, leaving questions about its practicality amid more pressing national issues. Critics argue the project is extravagant and ill-timed given Ghana’s economic challenges, including soaring inflation and a recent $3 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
President Mahama’s Statement
During a thanksgiving service on Sunday, Mahama revealed plans to activate an investigation into the project, following recommendations by the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ). The inquiry will examine potential misuse of public funds and explore alternatives for completing the project at a lower cost.
“We must ensure that any national project is achieved at a reasonable cost,” Mahama said. “In our current economic circumstances, spending $400 million on a cathedral makes no sense. We can consider alternative funding mechanisms and even reevaluate the site chosen for this initiative.”
While Mahama stopped short of ruling out the project entirely, he emphasized the need for a more prudent approach.
Government’s Financial Shift
Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson echoed Mahama’s concerns, stating on Monday that public funds would no longer be allocated to the cathedral. Addressing a parliamentary committee, Forson declared the government’s intention to curb wasteful expenditures, including halting further state funding for the project.
Work on the cathedral has already stalled, with contractors citing unpaid bills as the reason for ceasing operations. Meanwhile, the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has consistently called for the termination of the project.
The project has drawn criticism from various quarters, including parliamentarians, clergymen, and citizens. NDC lawmaker Kwabena Mintah Akandoh questioned the priorities of the previous administration, stating, “Where is the wisdom in building a cathedral when people are dying from preventable diseases, and sectors like health and education are severely underfunded?”
Even within the cathedral’s board of trustees, dissent has emerged, with five members resigning and urging the government to pause construction and conduct a thorough audit.
Mahama’s administration faces the difficult task of balancing Ghana’s economic recovery with the symbolic and spiritual significance of the cathedral. While the investigation aims to bring accountability to the project, it remains uncertain whether the cathedral will be completed or abandoned.
For now, the government’s focus is on addressing the nation’s economic challenges, as inflation hovers at 23.8% despite some improvement since the IMF bailout. As public scrutiny intensifies, the cathedral stands as a symbol of the broader debate over Ghana’s priorities and governance.