Christian Council forms committee to determine future of National Cathedral

The Christian Council of Ghana has formed a technical committee to examine the future of the stalled National Cathedral project and recommend a way forward.

The committee will bring together representatives from councils representing various Christian groupings and will focus on some of the key outstanding issues, particularly the project's funding and location.

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Chairman of the Christian Council, Rev Enoch Nii Narh Thompson, said the committee is expected to complete its work within a month and submit its recommendations to the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga.

“We have concluded that a technical committee will be composed by all the councils representing the various Christian groupings and that this council will, within a month, discuss all the issues regarding the practical dimensions of funding and location and any other things pertinent to the National Cathedral Project,” he said.

According to Rev Thompson, the minister will study the committee's findings before forwarding them to President John Dramani Mahama for the necessary decisions on the project.

“We will, within a month, present to the honourable minister the findings or the recommendations of this technical committee for his study and then onward forwarding to the President of the Republic for the necessary decisions to be taken,” he said.

He expressed hope that the process would finally help resolve the disagreements that have surrounded the controversial project and bring clarity to its future.

“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 said.

The National Cathedral project was announced in March 2018 by former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as a personal promise to God following his 2016 election victory.

The proposed cathedral, designed by British-Ghanaian architect Sir David Adjaye, was expected to include a 5,000-seat auditorium, chapels, a baptistery, a music school, an art gallery and a Bible Museum.

However, the project became embroiled in controversy over its cost, financing, construction and management.

An audit conducted by Deloitte and Touche into the operations of the National Cathedral Secretariat between 2021 and 2023 uncovered several financial and procurement irregularities.

Following the audit, President Mahama dissolved the Secretariat in July 2025 and directed the Auditor-General to conduct a comprehensive forensic audit.

The government also tasked the Attorney-General with taking steps to lawfully terminate the National Cathedral contract.

At a recent meeting with the Christian Council, Ayariga called for consensus among Christian leaders on the project's location, cost and financing.

The newly formed technical committee is expected to take up those issues and provide recommendations within a month, after which the matter will move to the minister and ultimately the President for consideration.

NA/AM