Ghana Government Investigates $400 Million Adjaye Associates National Cathedral Project


In early January 2025, Ghana's President John Mahama announced that he would conduct an inquiry into the construction of the Ghana National Cathedral in Accra. The investigation will begin on January 12, 2025. John Mahama has hinted since December that if he is elected president, he will inquire into the project to decide whether or not to proceed. The project has been controversial due to the alleged misuse of $58 public funds. The taxpayers' money has already been spent on the $400 million cathedral, although construction has yet to begin.
Lawmakers from the National Democratic Congress—the opposition party at the time—claimed that the project would be privately funded. They also accused the previous president, Akufo-Addo, of using state money to hire the renowned architect Adjaye Associates to design the building.
“The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) ordered the government to audit the project and investigate any misuse of public funds,” Mahama said, as reported by the BBC. “We will immediately activate such an investigation into the project.”
The controversy over this development divided opinion in the country. According to the BBC, NDC MP Kwabena Mintah Akandoh questioned where the wisdom of building the cathedral was when there were more pressing needs in the country in sectors such as health and education.
“I don't think anyone in their right mind expects John Mahama to build a cathedral. People are dying of cholera and other diseases, why focus on the cathedral?” he continued.
The BBC reported that new Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson stated that public money would no longer be used for the project and told a parliamentary committee that the government “will look to cut wasteful spending, and the national cathedral project is one of them” (11/01).
Ghana is experiencing the worst economic crisis in a generation, with inflation reaching 23.8%. Even last year, the IMF (International Monetary Fund) provided financial support of up to $3 billion to save Ghana.
However, John Mahama may propose re-planning the cathedral with a “more reasonable” budget. Ghana is a country where 70% of the population is Christian. The project was originally set to be an influential building in Accra with a 5,000-seat capacity, a music school, an art gallery, and Africa's first Bible museum. The initial design from Adjaye Associates, the cathedral will have a concave roof over the auditorium.
Aerial images show the 5.5-hectare site has been cleared, but it is currently empty after workers were unwilling to continue due to not receiving proper payment. Following the demolition of state buildings, judges' houses, and financial practice buildings.
Adjaye Associates has chosen to remain silent on the controversy. Adjaye Associates is currently excluded from several projects in 2023, including the Africa Institute in Sharjah and the International Slavery Museum in Liverpool, due to three former employees accusing Adjaye of sexual harassment. Adjaye’s lawyers have strongly denied the allegations.

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