John Mahama Questions $400M National Cathedral Costs, Announces Investigation

President John Dramani Mahama has announced plans to investigate the National Cathedral Project, an initiative spearheaded by former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as a national Christian worship centre and symbol of Ghana’s religious heritage.

The project has been plagued by allegations of corruption and financial mismanagement, raising concerns about its execution and funding.

Speaking at a Christian National Prayer and Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, January 12, 2025, at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), President Mahama questioned the financial prudence of the project, especially given Ghana’s current economic hardships.

“On the vexed issue of the National Cathedral, CHRAJ directed the government to audit the project and investigate any misuse of public funds. We will soon activate an investigation into the project,” he stated.

He further criticized the cost of the initiative, saying, “In the current circumstances that Ghana is going through, it makes no sense to achieve such a project at a whopping sum of $400 million. I am informed that the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja, which is used by the Christian faith in Nigeria, was built at the cost of $30 million.”The announcement signals the government’s intent to address concerns about transparency and accountability surrounding the project.