A Pan-Africanist and Christian Socialist, Mr. Benjamin Anyagre Aziginaateeg, has called for a Christian-led funding model for the National Cathedral project in Ghana. In an open letter to President John Dramani Mahama, he suggested that the Christian community should take the lead in financing and constructing the project, supported by professionals, businesses, and the Ghanaian diaspora. This proposal comes as the National Cathedral Board is set to hand over the project site to the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs by October 31, 2026.
Mr. Aziginaateeg's proposal involves the establishment of a Special National Cathedral Construction Fund to receive voluntary contributions from individuals, churches, denominations, institutions, professionals, and Ghanaians abroad. He suggested that even modest contributions, such as GHS5, could become significant if organised nationally. The proposed contributions would not be limited to cash but could also include building materials, construction equipment, transportation, professional services, skilled labour, furniture, and fittings. This approach aims to ensure that the project is funded transparently and accountably.
To ensure accountability, Mr. Aziginaateeg proposed an "Adopt-a-Component" programme, under which churches, individuals, companies, and other organisations could voluntarily support specific elements of the project. Each component would have an independently determined cost, a completion target, and a mechanism for independent verification. This approach would enable contributors to participate voluntarily and track the progress of specific aspects of the project.
Mr. Aziginaateeg also proposed the establishment of an independent National Cathedral Oversight Board to oversee finances, procurement, construction, audits, risk management, and the publication of financial information. The board would comprise qualified representatives from Christian bodies, finance and audit professionals, legal experts, and construction and procurement specialists. This oversight body would ensure that the project is managed transparently and efficiently.
To ensure transparency and accountability, Mr. Aziginaateeg recommended the publication of a four-page National Cathedral Accountability Newspaper every fortnight. The newspaper would disclose contributions received, expenditure, contracts, construction progress, outstanding liabilities, and projected funding requirements. Additionally, a digital public accountability dashboard would provide regularly updated information on the project's finances, construction progress, audits, and unresolved concerns.
Mr. Aziginaateeg also called for an independent technical, financial, and legal audit of the project before making further major financial commitments. This audit would establish the value of public resources already committed, clarify the legal status and ownership of the land and structures, assess the condition and value of completed works, identify outstanding liabilities, and determine the realistic cost of completing the project as designed.
The Pan-Africanist emphasised that any decision to continue with the project should be based on transparency, financial sustainability, constitutional defensibility, professional management, and ownership by the Christian community. He recommended that the government facilitate the process while Christians lead the initiative, with professionals, businesses, and the diaspora contributing to its completion.
Key points
- The proposed funding model for the National Cathedral project involves a Special National Cathedral Construction Fund and an "Adopt-a-Component" programme.
- An independent National Cathedral Oversight Board would oversee finances, procurement, construction, audits, risk management, and the publication of financial information.
- The project should be based on transparency, financial sustainability, constitutional defensibility, professional management, and ownership by the Christian community.
