Mahama Orders Investigation into Akufo-Addo’s US$4...

Mahama Orders Investigation into Akufo-Addo’s US$400 Million Cathedral Project

Zim Now Writer

Ghana’s newly elected President, John Mahama, has announced plans to investigate the controversial US$400 million National Cathedral project initiated by his predecessor, Nana Akufo-Addo.

Mahama described the project as a symbol of fiscal mismanagement, a sentiment that gained traction during the recent election, where the cathedral became a major point of contention.

The project, which has been stalled for years, was initially proposed by Akufo-Addo as a tribute to God following his 2016 electoral victory. It was presented as a privately funded initiative. However, revelations that US$58 million in public funds were allocated to the project, along with allegations of financial misconduct, sparked widespread outrage.

In 2024, Ghana's Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice recommended an audit into the project, citing violations in procurement processes. During a recent thanksgiving service, President Mahama confirmed that his administration would soon launch a formal investigation.

While Mahama did not dismiss the possibility of completing the cathedral, he emphasized that any future decisions regarding the project would prioritize accountability and align with the nation's broader needs.

The cathedral was envisioned to occupy a 23,000-square-meter site in Accra, with plans for a 5,000-seat auditorium, chapels, a baptistery, a choir school, an art gallery, and versatile spaces. Yet, after construction halted three years ago, the site remains an empty pit, leaving many to question the viability of the project. Critics argue that the project may have contributed to Akufo-Addo's electoral loss.

Emmanuel Wilson Jnr., a campaigner with Crusaders Against Corruption, criticized the project, stating, “This cathedral represents everything wrong with governance – opaque processes, lack of accountability, and misplaced priorities. Investigating this project isn’t just about the money; it’s about restoring public trust in government.”

The project’s suspension coincides with Ghana’s economic turmoil, including soaring inflation, rising debt levels, and reliance on a US$3 billion International Monetary Fund bailout to stabilise the economy. Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson informed Parliament that government funding for the cathedral had been suspended as part of a series of austerity measures.

“The government cannot justify spending scarce resources on an unfinished project when Ghanaians are struggling to afford basic necessities,” Forson stated.