A Christian Socialist and Pan-Africanist, Benjamin Anyagre Aziginaateeg, has written an open letter to President John Dramani Mahama proposing that the Christian community take charge of financing and overseeing the completion of Ghana's National Cathedral. The proposal comes as the government prepares to formally hand back the project site to the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs by October 31, 2026. Aziginaateeg's letter, titled "Construction of the National Cathedral in Ghana: The Dilemma," suggests the Christian community lead the funding and accountability for the stalled project.
Aziginaateeg argued that the original idea of building a National Cathedral was not the core problem, but rather public concerns over financing, land use, and the processes pursued. He proposed setting up a Special National Cathedral Construction Fund to collect voluntary contributions from individuals, churches, denominations, institutions, and Ghanaians abroad. Even small amounts, such as GHS5 per person, could add up significantly if organised on a national scale. He stressed that any contribution scheme should remain voluntary, not a compulsory religious levy.
Under Aziginaateeg's proposal, the government would facilitate the project while the Christian community takes the lead in financing and construction, supported by professionals, businesses, and the Ghanaian diaspora. He recommended an "Adopt-a-Component" scheme, where churches, individuals, and companies could sponsor specific parts of the building, such as roofing or electrical work, each with an independently costed budget and completion target. This approach would allow for diverse contributions and ensure the project's completion.
To guard against mismanagement, Aziginaateeg proposed an independent National Cathedral Oversight Board, comprising representatives from Christian bodies, finance and audit professionals, legal experts, and construction specialists. The board would monitor finances, procurement, audits, and project milestones. He also suggested a fortnightly accountability newspaper and a digital public dashboard to disclose contributions, expenditure, contracts, and construction progress.
Aziginaateeg called for an independent technical, financial, and legal audit of the project before the government commits further funds. This audit would establish the value of resources already spent, clarify land and ownership questions, and determine the realistic cost of finishing the project as designed. The proposal aims to ensure transparency and accountability in the project's completion.
The proposal comes shortly after Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin called for the government to decide the cathedral's fate earlier this month. The National Cathedral Board has been directed to hand over the Accra site to the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs by October 31, 2026. However, the fate of the site and unfinished structure remains unclear.
The government's decision on Aziginaateeg's Christian-led funding model remains uncertain. The proposal has been made to President Mahama, and it is unclear when or if the government will consider this model. The project's future and completion hang in the balance as stakeholders await the government's next move.
Key points
- A Pan-Africanist proposes a Christian-led funding model for Ghana's National Cathedral project.
- The proposal aims to ensure transparency and accountability in the project's completion.
- The government's decision on the proposal remains uncertain.
