Ghana’s newly elected President, John Mahama, has announced plans to investigate the highly controversial $400 million National Cathedral project, initiated by his predecessor, President Nana Akufo-Addo.
The project, which has faced intense criticism for fiscal mismanagement, was intended as a religious landmark but has instead become a symbol of financial irresponsibility in the eyes of many Ghanaians.
Mahama, who led the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to a decisive victory in the December election, revealed the government’s intention to activate an investigation into the stalled project during a recent thanksgiving service.
The move follows allegations that $58 million in public funds were allocated to the project, despite it initially being presented as a privately funded initiative.
The National Cathedral, envisioned as a tribute to God for Akufo-Addo’s 2016 electoral victory, was meant to feature a 5,000-seat auditorium, chapels, and other facilities.
However, after several years of construction, the site in Accra remains largely unfinished, and the project has faced mounting criticism for mismanagement, including procurement breaches highlighted by Ghana’s Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ).
Despite the stalled progress, Mahama did not rule out completing the cathedral, but emphasized that any future decisions would prioritize national interest and financial accountability.
His pledge to investigate the project has drawn mixed reactions from the public, with many praising the move as a step toward restoring trust in the government, while others remain skeptical about the potential for political manipulation.
Amid Ghana’s ongoing economic crisis, which includes high inflation, rising debt, and reliance on a $3 billion IMF bailout, the government has halted further public funding for the cathedral.
Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson confirmed the decision in Parliament, citing the need to curb wasteful spending while the nation grapples with economic hardships.
The suspension of the project, along with the resignation of several trustees and the abandonment of the construction site by contractors due to unpaid invoices, has further eroded public confidence in the initiative.
While Mahama’s investigation could hold leaders accountable for the alleged financial mismanagement, political scientist Kwame Asah-Asante warned that the process must be transparent to avoid becoming a political tool.
The fate of the National Cathedral remains uncertain as Ghana seeks to balance fiscal discipline with public sentiment.
