Accra: President John Dramani Mahama has expressed his firm opposition to the use of taxpayers' money for the completion of the National Cathedral, asserting that Ghana's Christian community possesses ample resources to finance the project independently.
According to Ghana Web, during a citizens' engagement in Wa, President Mahama emphasized that while he supports the idea of a National Cathedral as a Christian, he is concerned about the reliance on public funds for its construction. He stated, "My second problem was that we shouldn't use taxpayers' money," highlighting his belief that the Christian population in Ghana is capable of raising the necessary funds without government intervention.
President Mahama drew a parallel to the National Mosque in Accra, which was constructed without the use of taxpayers' money. He noted that the Muslim community received assistance from a Turkish Muslim organization to complete their place of worship. Additionally, President Mahama criticized the location chosen for the National Cathedral by the previous administration, pointing out that it is already a congested area with key facilities such as Parliament House, the Accra International Conference Centre, the National Theatre, and the Greater Accra Regional Hospital nearby.
The President argued that the National Cathedral should not be regarded as a typical government project inherited from a previous administration. He clarified that the project originated as a personal pledge made by former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to God, rather than an official government policy.
Addressing the project's financial aspects, President Mahama revealed that nearly US$90 million had already been spent on the National Cathedral. He disclosed that a forensic audit had been completed and submitted to the Attorney-General to assess how the funds were utilized and determine if further action is needed. President Mahama also expressed his intention to provide a copy of the audit report to the Christian Council of Ghana, allowing them to review the findings and decide on the appropriate course of action.