Continue, complete National Cathedral project – Christian Council to Mahama

The Christian Council of Ghana has urged President John Dramani Mahama to reaffirm the government’s commitment to completing the National Cathedral under a transparent and inclusive framework.

The appeal was made on Tuesday during a courtesy call at the Jubilee House, where Vice Chairman of the Council, Rev. Enoch Thompson, said the Council remains fully aware of the country’s current economic challenges but believes the project still carries long-term national value.

He said while the council was “aware of the prevailing economic conditions,” he noted that it nonetheless considers the Cathedral’s completion essential for both spiritual and cultural reasons.

Rev. Thompson stressed that, with enhanced accountability, proper financial reporting and broad consultation, the Cathedral can become “a spiritual and cultural landmark for generations to come.”

He explained that the project should ultimately reflect national consensus and responsible stewardship of public resources.

In their engagement with the President, the Council presented three key recommendations. First, they called on the government to publicly reaffirm its commitment to the project and ensure its eventual completion.

According to Rev. Thompson, such reassurance would help restore public confidence and provide clarity on the state’s position.

“We humbly recommend that the government reaffirms its commitment to the project, to its continuation and completion, ensuring transparency in financial administration,” he stated.

Second, the Council urged the development of a diversified funding model that does not disproportionately strain the national budget.

This approach, Rev. Thompson explained, should include contributions from churches, the private sector, and international partners.

“A broad-based funding structure will reduce fiscal pressure on the state and mobilize wider ownership,” he added.

Their third recommendation emphasised presenting the Cathedral as a unifying national symbol. Rev. Thompson insisted the facility must be positioned as an interdenominational space that promotes harmony rather than denominational rivalry.

“The Cathedral must foster unity among our people,” he said, calling for renewed national dialogue to build consensus around the project.

The Mahama administration has directed an audit into the controversial project, which was heavily criticised during the erstwhile Akufo-Addo era.

It was fraught with several irregularities, including procurement breaches.