Board Clarifies Commitment to Cathedral’s Religious, Cultural Vision
The National Cathedral of Ghana’s Board of Directors, in a statement on July 9, 2025, denied rumors that the state-allocated site is being repurposed as a Cultural Convention Center. The clarification followed an emergency board meeting on July 7, prompted by public concerns over online speculation.
Executive Director Dr. Paul Opoku-Mensah emphasized that no government agency has announced changes to the project’s purpose. The site, legally held by the National Cathedral of Ghana, a company limited by guarantee, remains dedicated to its original vision as a religious and cultural landmark, with designs tailored for this goal.
The Cathedral is planned as a national venue for religious events like Thanksgiving celebrations and state burials, reinforced by President John Mahama’s July 1, 2025, proclamation of a National Day of Prayer. It will also feature a Bible Museum, Biblical Garden, banquet hall, 350-seat restaurant, library, and conference center to promote faith-based tourism and patriotism.
The project, initiated in 2017 under former President Nana Akufo-Addo, faced funding controversies, with costs exceeding $400 million by 2024. Despite delays, the board insists the Cathedral remains active, not abandoned, and is critical for Ghana’s spiritual and cultural identity.
The statement aims to quell public anxiety and reaffirm the project’s commitment. The board urged Ghanaians to support the Cathedral’s completion, emphasizing its role in fostering national unity and heritage as investigations into past financial concerns continue.