National Cathedral Board rejects plans to turn site into Cultural Centre

The Board of Directors of the National Cathedral is pushing back against speculation that Ghana’s stalled religious monument will be repurposed into a National Cultural Convention Centre.

Following an emergency meeting on July 7, the Board released a statement to counter media reports and public commentary.

“The Cathedral is not abandoned,” they declared, reaffirming their commitment to the original vision of a sacred national space designed for interdenominational worship, state events, and thanksgiving gatherings.

Although plans under the government’s SH0W24 initiative suggest converting the site into a flagship venue for exhibitions and international summits, potentially in collaboration with the AfCFTA Secretariat, the Board said it has received no formal communication about such a transition.

In the face of criticism and financial scrutiny, the Board insisted that all state funds allocated thus far were properly used.

“All state funds to the project are accounted for. Disbursements were based on agreements and/or contracts, and payments were made for actual work done,” part of the statement read.

Construction of the Cathedral, which began in 2021, has faced repeated delays and has only reached eight per cent completion. The Board blames the slow progress on political interference and negative public narratives.

To move forward, Board members say discussions are underway for new funding strategies that include church-state collaboration and a commitment to full transparency. They remain hopeful the project can be revived and fulfilled as originally envisioned.

Read the full statement from the National Cathedral Board below: