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The Ghanaian government has officially dissolved the National Cathedral Secretariat, effectively bringing a halt to one of the most contentious legacy projects of the Nana Akufo-Addo administration.
The move signals a decisive shift under the current administration led by President John Dramani Mahama, who has consistently opposed the use of public funds for the religious monument, citing issues of financial mismanagement, lack of transparency, and public accountability.
The National Cathedral, envisioned as a monumental Christian worship centre and national symbol of faith and unity, was one of the flagship projects of the previous government. However, it became a flashpoint for controversy amid revelations of missing funds, opaque procurement practices, and unaccounted donor contributions.
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Confirming the dissolution, the Minister of State in Charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, told Channel One TV’s Face to Face programme on Tuesday that the Mahama administration will not allocate any further public funds to the abandoned cathedral project.
“There are outstanding issues regarding the procurement processes and outstanding payments that the contractor is demanding, but nobody will answer because there is no National Cathedral,” Kwakye Ofosu stated bluntly.
“It remains a worthless home. As a point of determination, a decision is going to be made, but what is certain is that President Mahama is not going to put GHS400 million of taxpayers’ money into that project.”
The National Cathedral project, which was launched with a groundbreaking ceremony in 2020, has since come under intense scrutiny from civil society groups, religious leaders, anti-corruption activists, and Members of Parliament.
Key concerns include:
- Lack of transparency in procurement and award of contracts;
- Unclear accounting of the GHS339 million previously allocated from state coffers;
- Accusations that the project served as a conduit for political patronage and financial leakage.
Multiple parliamentary probes and media investigations have pointed to glaring irregularities, including payments to unapproved contractors and questionable consultancy fees.
Despite initial enthusiasm and support from some Christian leaders, enthusiasm waned as fundraising efforts stalled and public confidence in the project eroded.
With the Secretariat now dissolved, the future of the half-completed structure—which remains dormant and fenced off in Accra—is unclear. The Mahama administration has not yet indicated whether the land will be repurposed or if the structure will eventually be demolished.
Some civil society voices have called for a full forensic audit, while others believe the site should be converted into a public utility space, such as a library, hospital, or community centre.
The dissolution of the National Cathedral Secretariat reflects a broader reckoning over public accountability and priorities in infrastructure investment, especially in a country grappling with economic recovery, youth unemployment, and health and education system challenges.
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