Minister-designate for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga, has described the idea of constructing a National Cathedral for Ghana’s Christian community as a “wonderful” initiative, although he believes the project was poorly implemented.
Appearing before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Thursday, August 27, 2026, Mr Ayariga said there was nothing inherently wrong with the state having a national place of worship for Christians.
He noted that Ghana is a deeply religious country, despite being constitutionally recognised as a secular state.
“I don’t think there is anything wrong with the idea but I think it was a good idea that was badly implemented,” he said.
Mr. Ayariga also disclosed that he had concerns about the location selected for the project.
He, however, said if approved as Minister, he would engage the leadership of the Christian community to determine whether they still want the project completed.
“If they still want to have it, I will engage with the President and if it is his wish, I will mobilise funds for its construction,” he assured the Committee.
The National Cathedral project remains stalled, with only about 8% of work done despite an estimated $97 million already spent in public funds.
Commissioned in 2018 by former President William Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as a 5,000-seat interdenominational national house of prayer, construction was halted in 2023 due to funding constraints and controversies over procurement.
In 2025, a Deloitte audit cited financial irregularities and procurement breaches.
The National Cathedral Secretariat was subsequently dissolved by the National Cathedral Secretariat and terminated ongoing contracts and referred outstanding issues to the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) for a forensic audit.
Government has stated it will not commit further public funds, with an estimated $400 million needed to complete the project.
In July 2025, President Mahama announced plans to convert the 14.5-acre site at Osu, Accra, into a National Cultural Convention Centre.The site currently remains a fenced-off pit, while the Board of Trustees insists the Cathedral has not been abandoned.
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