President John Dramani Mahama has rejected the use of taxpayers’ money to complete the stalled National Cathedral project.
According to him, the Christian community has the numbers and financial capacity to raise the funds required for completing the project.
President Mahama made the remarks during a citizens’ engagement in Wa on Saturday, September 12, 2026, where he explained his position on the controversial project and the expenditure incurred since its commencement.
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The President said he had no objection to the construction of a national cathedral because he is a practising Christian.
However, he maintained that the National Cathedral project should not be financed with public funds.
According to him, unlike other initiatives inherited from the previous administration that he had pledged to continue, the National Cathedral was not an official state policy.
President Mahama explained that the project originated from a personal commitment by the previous President and should therefore be treated differently from government policies and programmes.
President Mahama said Ghana’s large Christian population could collectively raise enough money to complete the National Cathedral without placing an additional financial burden on the state.
“If we all pay a thousand cedis each, we should be able to construct a national cathedral,” he said.
He cited the construction of the National Mosque as an example of how a major religious facility could be completed without direct government financing.
According to President Mahama, Ghana’s Muslim community secured support from a Turkish Muslim non-governmental organisation for the construction of the mosque.
He suggested that a similar approach could be adopted for the National Cathedral project, with the Christian community mobilising resources and seeking support from appropriate partners.
The President also raised concerns about the location of the National Cathedral in the heart of Accra.
He noted that the area already accommodates several important public institutions and facilities, including Parliament, the International Conference Centre, the Greater Accra Regional Hospital and the National Theatre.
President Mahama argued that adding the cathedral to the area could further constrain available space.
He also questioned the extent of demolition carried out to clear the site for the project.
Among the properties he cited were 10 judges’ residences, the residence of the Malian ambassador, the old passport office and other properties.
President Mahama said the residence of the Malian ambassador had still not been replaced.
On the financial implications of the National Cathedral project, President Mahama said almost $90 million had already been spent.
He disclosed that a forensic audit into expenditure on the project had been completed and is currently with the Attorney-General.
The President said he intended to provide the Christian Council of Ghana with a copy of the audit report for its review.
He explained that the review would enable the Christian Council to examine how the funds were spent and determine whether any corrective action was necessary.
Graphic.com.gh