Repurposing the National Cathedral Site: Why Ghana needs a National Maternity Hospital instead

Ghana’s National Cathedral, intended as a symbol of unity and faith, has become controversial due to allegations of mismanagement, escalating costs, and lack of transparency. With public confidence waning, the core issue now centres on the nation's priorities.

At a time when mothers continue to die from preventable causes during pregnancy and childbirth, it is difficult to justify the continuation of a stalled and controversial monument when the same site could be transformed into something far more urgent and life-saving: a National Maternity Hospital.

Maternal mortality in Ghana remains unacceptably high. According to the Ghana Health Service, approximately 308 women die for every 100,000 live births. Behind these statistics are real women, mothers, daughters, and sisters, many of whom die due to delays in care, inadequate facilities, or lack of access to specialist obstetric services. While healthcare workers do their best within constrained systems, many maternity units remain overcrowded, under-resourced, and ill-equipped to manage complex cases.

Maternal mortality in Ghana remains critically high. Data from the Ghana Health Service indicate that roughly 308 women die for every 100,000 live births. Behind these figures are real people, women who are mothers, daughters, and sisters whose deaths are frequently the result of delayed care, inadequate health facilities, or limited access to specialised obstetric services. Although healthcare professionals work tirelessly under challenging conditions, many maternity units continue to be overstretched, poorly resourced, and ill-prepared to manage complex pregnancies and deliveries.

By comparison, countries like Sweden, Germany, and the Netherlands record maternal mortality rates of fewer than 10 deaths per 100,000 live births. Such achievements are the product of sustained and intentional investment in specialised maternity facilities, efficient referral networks, advanced neonatal intensive care units, and well-structured antenatal care. Ghana is both capable of and deserving of these standards. Establishing a National Maternity Hospital would create a central referral centre for high-risk pregnancies, provide a national training hub for midwives and obstetricians, and set the benchmark for high-quality, women-centred, evidence-based maternity care.

In addition to improving health outcomes, the economic rationale is undeniable. Channeling resources away from an incomplete cathedral project towards a maternity hospital would ensure a far more impactful and responsible use of public funds. Spending on maternal health delivers lasting benefits, healthier families, reduced strain on healthcare systems, and a more productive population. When countries invest in maternal and child health, they are not simply saving lives; they are securing their economic future and national progress.

Public opinion also appears to be shifting. Many Ghanaians increasingly question the relevance of the cathedral project in the face of pressing social needs. Polling data suggest that citizens are more concerned about healthcare, education, and cost of living than monumental projects. Reallocating resources toward a National Maternity Hospital would resonate with public sentiment and restore trust by demonstrating that government spending reflects the lived realities of its people.

There is also symbolism to consider. A modern, world-class maternity hospital would be a powerful national statement, one that declares the value Ghana places on women’s lives and dignity. Just as institutions like Charité Hospital in Berlin, Queen Charlotte’s and Chelsea Hospital in London, or the National Maternity Hospital in Dublin are sources of pride and centres of excellence, a Ghanaian National Maternity Hospital could position the country as a regional leader in maternal and neonatal care in West Africa.

This is not an argument against culture, faith, or national heritage. Rather, it is a call to redefine what national pride looks like in the 21st century. True legacy is not built only in stone and concrete, but in lives saved, families preserved, and futures secured.

Repurposing the National Cathedral site for a National Maternity Hospital would be a humane, pragmatic, and forward-looking decision. It would align Ghana with global best practices, respond to urgent public health needs, and send a clear message: that the lives of women and children are not negotiable, and that national development begins with protecting its most vulnerable.