Ayariga pledges to mobilise funds for National Cathedral if approved

Minister-designate for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga, has pledged to explore avenues to mobilise funding for the construction of Ghana’s National Cathedral if Parliament approves his nomination and the project receives the backing of the Christian community and President John Dramani Mahama.

Mr Ayariga made the commitment when he appeared before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Thursday, August 27, 2026, as part of his vetting for the ministerial position.

While expressing reservations about how the National Cathedral project was implemented in the past, the Bawku Central MP said he had no fundamental objection to the idea of establishing a national cathedral for Ghana’s Christian community.

“I don’t think there is anything wrong with the idea, but I think it was a good idea that was badly implemented,” he said.

Mr Ayariga disclosed that, in addition to concerns about the implementation of the project, he also had reservations about the location selected for the National Cathedral.

He nevertheless indicated his willingness to support efforts to revive the project if there is consensus among the relevant stakeholders.

“I want to assure this House that if I am approved, I will engage the leadership of the Christian Community and if they want to still have it, I will engage with the President and if it is his wish, I will mobilise funds [for] its construction,” he said.

His position places emphasis on consultation with the Christian community and the President before any decision is taken on the future of the project.

According to the minister-designate, the deeply religious nature of Ghanaian society means places of worship play an important role in national life.

He pointed to the widespread presence of churches, mosques and other religious facilities across the country as evidence of the significance of religious institutions to Ghanaian society.

He therefore maintained that he saw no fundamental problem with the concept of a National Cathedral, although he remained critical of aspects of its previous implementation.

Meanwhile, the long-awaited forensic audit report into the National Cathedral project has been completed and submitted to the Attorney General for review.

Minister of State for Government Communications Felix Kwakye Ofosu disclosed in August that the forensic audit was commissioned following an earlier audit conducted by Deloitte and Touche.

According to Mr Ofosu, the Deloitte audit identified financial irregularities in the accounts of the National Cathedral but did not establish the full extent of the issues or determine who was responsible.

“Deloitte and Touche audited the financial reports of the National Cathedral, which revealed financial irregularities, but it didn’t tell all the issues,” he said.

He explained that the government subsequently commissioned a forensic examination to establish the individuals responsible for the irregularities and determine whether the transactions involved were lawful.

The forensic report is currently undergoing review by the Attorney General.

The National Cathedral project has been the subject of significant public debate, particularly over its financing, expenditure and implementation.

Mr Ayariga's comments indicate that any attempt to revive or complete the project under a future arrangement would require consultations with the Christian community and the President.

His pledge to explore funding options, if approved as Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, also suggests that government could consider a new approach to financing the project should the relevant stakeholders agree that it should continue.

For now, however, the forensic audit remains an important component of determining the circumstances surrounding the project's previous financial management, with the Attorney General expected to review its findings.

The debate over the National Cathedral is therefore likely to continue as government weighs the project's future against the findings of the forensic audit and consultations with Ghana's Christian community.