The Centre for Public Opinion and Awareness (CenPOA) has expressed strong opposition to any plans by the Mahama administration to continue the National Cathedral project.
The group raised concern following recent remarks by Ahmed Ibrahim, the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs, suggesting that the government is considering resuming the controversial project after consultations with the National Cathedral Board.
“The now-ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) explicitly opposed the project, vowing to repurpose it into a 500-unit children’s hospital and fertility center. This was publicly communicated in a Facebook post by Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, then Director of Elections and IT for the NDC.
In light of this, CenPOA finds the Minister’s recent remarks inconsistent with the NDC’s stated position and urges the government to stay true to its commitment to reset Ghana’s priorities. Many Ghanaians voted for this administration on the understanding that public funds would no longer be wasted on nonessential projects like the National Cathedral, particularly at the expense of critical sectors such as healthcare, education, and job creation,” they noted.
In a statement, it said any attempt by the government to reintroduce the project by investing public funds will amount to political dishonesty and a serious betrayal of the trust placed in the Mahama-led administration by Ghanaians.
They emphasized that the National Cathedral project was a personal religious vow made by former President Nana Akufo-Addo, who failed to complete it during his eight years in office despite reportedly spending $58 million of public funds.
CenPOA urged former President Akufo-Addo to fulfill his vow privately, suggesting he now has the time and opportunity to mobilize private resources to complete the project without relying on state funds.
READ FULL STATEMENT BELOW
CenPOA to Government: Proceed with National Cathedral Project at Your Own Risk
Calls for Government to Honor Promise of Fiscal Responsibility and Separation of Church and State Accra, Ghana — The Center for Public Opinion & Awareness (CenPOA) has noted with deep concern recent comments made by Honorable Ahmed Ibrahim, Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, regarding the possible continuation of the controversial National Cathedral project.
Hon. Ibrahim indicated that the government is considering resuming the project, subject to consultations he is currently undertaking with the National Cathedral Board.
CenPOA strongly believes that any attempt to reintroduce government involvement or allocate public funds to the National Cathedral would constitute political dishonesty and a serious betrayal of the trust placed in the government by Ghanaians. The National Cathedral was originally a personal religious vow made by former President Nana Akufo-Addo, who, despite serving a full eight-year term, was unable to complete it—after reportedly spending $58 million of state resources.
It is worth noting that the project became a major point of political contention during the 2024 elections.
The now-ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) explicitly opposed the project, vowing to repurpose it into a 500-unit children’s hospital and fertility center. This was publicly communicated in a Facebook post by Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, then Director of Elections and IT for the NDC. In light of this, CenPOA finds the Minister’s recent remarks inconsistent with the NDC’s stated position and urges the government to stay true to its commitment to reset Ghana’s priorities. Many Ghanaians voted for this administration on the understanding that public funds would no longer be wasted on nonessential projects like the National Cathedral, particularly at the expense of critical sectors such as healthcare, education, and job creation.
If Hon. Ibrahim’s remarks were intended as his personal opinion, we wish to respectfully remind him that, in his capacity as a Minister, he must refrain from imposing personal religious beliefs on matters of governance and public administration. Blurring the lines between religion and state affairs could have serious consequences for his political career and the credibility of the NDC government.
Finally, we encourage former President Akufo-Addo to fulfill his vow to God using private means. With his tenure now concluded, he has the opportunity and time to mobilize private support to complete the project, in line with his original intent.
