In brief
President Mahama pledges to scrutinize and possibly alter the controversial project that has left citizens divided.
Ghana is taking a closer look at its grand National Cathedral project, which has become a hot topic in a country facing a serious economic crisis. New President John Mahama has declared that an investigation will be launched to address concerns regarding the $400 million (£330 million) plan initiated by former President Nana Akufo-Addo. Despite Akufo-Addo asserting that the project would be privately funded, $58 million of taxpayer money has been spent so far, leaving behind just a large crater in Accra where essential state buildings once stood.During a recent Thanksgiving service, Mahama revealed that the commission on human rights and administrative justice has called for an audit of public funds linked to the cathedral. While he cautioned about halting the project completely, he suggested that re-evaluating the approach, including potentially relocating the site, might be necessary. The country, where approximately 70% of the population identifies as Christian, had envisioned the cathedral as a space for national religious gatherings and cultural events.However, amid Ghana's worst economic crisis in a generation, the government has curtailed public funding for the project. The new Finance Minister stated that funds would be redirected to mitigate wasteful expenditures, hinting that the cathedral's future remains uncertain. Widespread public sentiment reflects concern about investing in such a monumental project, especially as fundamental needs in healthcare and education remain pressing. Additionally, several board members have resigned due to the mounting criticism surrounding the cathedral, revealing a growing unease about the project's viability.
