ELS; MBN360NEWS
Minister-designate for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga, says he will explore ways to mobilise funding for the construction of the National Cathedral if Parliament approves the project and it receives the backing of the Christian community and President John Dramani Mahama.
Mr Ayariga made the pledge when he appeared before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Thursday, August 27, 2026.
He said although he had reservations about how the project was implemented under the previous administration, he supported 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 also raised concerns about the location selected for the project, stressing that any decision on its future should follow consultations with key stakeholders.
He said, if approved as Minister, he would engage the leadership of the Christian community to determine whether they still supported the project before consulting President Mahama on the way forward.
“I want to assure this House that if I am approved, I will engage the leadership of the Christian community, and if they still want to have it, I will engage with the President and, if it is his wish, I will mobilise funds for its construction,” he said.
Mr Ayariga noted that Ghana’s deeply religious character made places of worship an important part of national life, citing the widespread presence of churches, mosques and other religious institutions across the country.
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He said he therefore saw no fundamental problem with the idea of a National Cathedral but maintained that aspects of its implementation, particularly the choice of location, required reconsideration.
He stressed that consultations with the Christian community and the President would be necessary before any steps were taken towards completing the project.
Forensic audit report completed
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 after an earlier audit by Deloitte and Touche identified financial irregularities but did not establish the full extent of the issues or determine those 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.
According to Mr Kwakye Ofosu, the government subsequently commissioned a forensic examination to establish who was responsible for the irregularities and determine whether the transactions in question were lawful.
The findings of the forensic audit are expected to inform any further decisions regarding the project.
