Executive Director of the National Cathedral of Ghana, Dr. Paul Opoku-Mensah, has dismissed media reports suggesting that the National Cathedral project has been abandoned or is being converted into a Cultural Convention Centre.
In a statement following an emergency Board meeting on July 7, the National Cathedral Secretariat reaffirmed its commitment to completing the project, describing the claims as misleading and unsubstantiated.
According to Dr. Opoku-Mensah, while the Board has not received any official communication regarding a change in the use of the site, the land for the Cathedral was legally transferred to the National Cathedral of Ghana, a company limited by guarantee, and all project designs — including for the Bible Museum, Biblical Garden, and supporting facilities — have already been completed.
“The National Cathedral is not an abandoned project,” he stated. “Construction began in 2021 and, despite financial challenges, about 8% of the project has already been completed. Delays have largely been due to lack of funding and politicization, which have adversely affected fundraising efforts.”
He noted that the National Cathedral was envisioned as sacred infrastructure for national religious functions such as state funerals and thanksgiving services. The recent institution of July 1 as Ghana’s National Day of Prayer, he said, further justifies the project’s relevance and urgency.
In response to concerns over financial transparency, Dr. Opoku-Mensah referenced an audit conducted by Deloitte and Touche, which verified that all state funds were properly accounted for, with payments made in accordance with signed agreements for work done.
The Executive Director also revealed that efforts are underway to develop a new pathway for completing the Cathedral through a “process of depoliticisation, statutory accountability, and a state-church-society partnership.”
This, he believes, will help mobilize the resources needed to realize the vision of a unifying national and religious landmark.
The Board remains resolute in its mission to complete the National Cathedral, which is designed not only as a sacred space for Christians but also as a broader interfaith and cultural center, capable of boosting religious tourism and national heritage appreciation.
In closing, Dr. Opoku-Mensah urged the public to disregard unverified reports and support the ongoing efforts to deliver a project that he described as “a family house for all Christians in Ghana, and a symbol of unity for the nation.”
