The Christian Council of Ghana is expected to submit its recommendations on the stalled National Cathedral project to the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs within one month.
The recommendations will subsequently be forwarded to President John Dramani Mahama to guide the government’s decision on the future of the controversial National Cathedral project.
Chairman of the Christian Council, Rev. Enoch Nii Narh Thompson, disclosed that the timeline follows the formation of a technical committee to assess key outstanding issues surrounding the project, including its funding, location and other practical considerations.
He explained that the technical committee will bring together representatives from councils representing various Christian denominations and groupings.
Rev. Thompson said the committee will carefully review the challenges surrounding the National Cathedral before submitting its findings and recommendations to the minister.
“We will within a month present to the honourable minister the findings of or the recommendations of these technical committee for his study and then onward forwarding to the President of the Republic for the necessary decisions to be taken,” he said.
Committee to Examine National Cathedral Funding and Location
According to the Christian Council chairman, the committee will focus on the practical aspects of the National Cathedral project, particularly questions concerning funding, the proposed location and other matters considered relevant to the project’s future.
He said the Christian community has agreed that representatives from the various Christian councils should participate in the process to help develop a comprehensive position on the project.
The Christian Council is hopeful that the technical review will help resolve the disagreements and controversies that have surrounded the Ghana National Cathedral and provide clarity on how the project should proceed.
“We are hopeful and trusting that these things will help to bring a conclusion to this matter that has lingered for a while over our national polity as a people,” Rev. Thompson stated.
National Cathedral Project Remains Controversial
The National Cathedral project in Ghana has faced significant controversy since it was announced in March 2018 by then-President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
The former president described the project as a personal promise to God following his victory in the 2016 presidential election and envisioned the facility as a symbol of national unity, harmony and spirituality.
The proposed National Cathedral was designed by British-Ghanaian architect Sir David Adjaye and was expected to feature several facilities, including chapels, a baptistery, a 5,000-seat auditorium, a music school, an art gallery and a Bible Museum.
The proposed facility was planned for a 14.5-acre site close to Independence Square, Osu Cemetery and the Accra Sports Stadium.
Audit Raised Questions Over National Cathedral Spending
The project came under increased scrutiny following an audit of the National Cathedral Secretariat’s operations between 2021 and 2023.
The audit, conducted by Deloitte and Touche and completed in May 2025, identified several financial and procurement concerns, including alleged breaches of procurement procedures and a general lack of due process.
Following the audit, President John Dramani Mahama dissolved the National Cathedral Secretariat in July 2025, with the decision taking effect from May 1.
The government subsequently directed the Auditor-General to conduct a comprehensive forensic audit of the project and also tasked the Attorney-General with taking the necessary legal steps to terminate the National Cathedral contract in accordance with the law.
The latest move by the Christian Council is therefore expected to contribute to ongoing discussions over the future, funding and possible restructuring of Ghana’s National Cathedral project.
Source: newsthemegh.com