The Ghanaian government has halted public funding for the National Cathedral, directing the site’s handover to the Ministry by October 31, 2026, as the Attorney-General reviews a forensic audit of expenditure under the previous administration.
The government of Ghana has officially ceased funding for the National Cathedral project, with Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs Mahama Ayariga stating, Government is not going to put one single cedi in any further construction work at the National Cathedral site.
This decision, announced at a press briefing dubbed Government Accountability Series,
marks the dissolution of the Board of Trustees and the formal transfer of the site to the Ministry, pending the Attorney-General’s review of a forensic audit into the project’s expenditures.
Financial Controversy and Public Outcry
The National Cathedral, initiated under former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has become a focal point of economic and ethical debate. Source material describes the project in relation to a $97 million figure, while the projected total cost of the National Cathedral has repeatedly ballooned, with estimates escalating past $400 million. This included an unprecedented $21 million sole-sourced design fee paid to the architect.
Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin defended the cathedral as a national asset, arguing it would serve tourism and national unity. This National Cathedral, we need it as a nation. It shouldn’t be too simplistic that a cathedral is just for prayer. It is also for tourism,
he stated, noting an old mosque in Türkiye which attracts about 4,000 visitors daily because of its historical and architectural significance. However, the government’s consistency in its stance has drawn criticism, with Afenyo-Markin noting, The government is showing inconsistency. It says one thing today, it says another tomorrow. We don’t know what they want to use the site for. There’s no clarity as to what they want to use the site for.
The government’s decision to dissolve the Board of Trustees and direct the site’s handover to the Ministry by October 31, 2026, followed President John Dramani Mahama’s direction.
Pan-Africanist’s Christian-Led Funding Proposal
Mr. Benjamin Anyagre Aziginaateeg, a Pan-Africanist and Christian Socialist, proposed a Christian-led funding model to complete the cathedral. His open letter to President John Dramani Mahama titled Construction of the National Cathedral in Ghana: The Dilemma,
outlined a Special National Cathedral Construction Fund, encouraging voluntary contributions from churches, diaspora communities, and businesses. He highlighted transparency, introducing a four-page National Cathedral Accountability Newspaper, published bi-weekly, to reveal contributions, spending, contracts, construction updates, outstanding debts, and future funding needs. His plan seeks to have the Christian community take the lead in financing and construction, supported by professionals, businesses, and the Ghanaian diaspora.
Aziginaateeg’s open letter, titled Construction of the National Cathedral in Ghana: The Dilemma,
urged the government to recognize the project’s potential while protecting public interest, recognising the aspirations of the Christian community and accounting for resources already committed. He proposed that the Christian community take the lead in financing and construction, supported by professionals, businesses, and the Ghanaian diaspora. He proposed the creation of a Special National Cathedral Construction Fund to collect voluntary donations from individuals, churches, denominations, organizations, professionals, and Ghanaians living overseas. He promoted a four-page National Cathedral Accountability Newspaper, published bi-weekly, to reveal contributions, spending, contracts, construction progress, outstanding liabilities, and future funding requirements. This publication would be supported by a digital public accountability dashboard that offers ongoing updates on the project’s finances, construction status, audits, and outstanding issues.
Legal and Political Implications
The government’s decision to halt funding has triggered legal scrutiny. Sources reported that the Attorney-General is reviewing a forensic audit into expenditure on the project under the past administration. The Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs confirmed the dissolution of the National Cathedral Board of Trustees, stating members had been formally notified of the decision. The board’s dissolution followed the government’s position that the property belongs to the state, with the contractor directed to hand over the site to the ministry.
The Ministry’s statement emphasized that the site would be retained until a decision is made on the project’s future, with the Attorney-General’s review of the forensic audit serving as the next critical step to determine what the next steps are.
The outcome hinges on the Attorney-General’s review of the forensic audit and the government’s next steps. Although the Ministry maintains control over the site, the Christian Council mentioned that discussions involved accelerating a forensic audit and forming a technical committee to assess matters such as funding and the project’s future trajectory. According to the reported events, the government is anticipated to decide on the next steps for the National Cathedral project following the official transfer of the site.