National Cathedral was right idea but poorly executed- Mahama Ayariga, Minister-designate for Local Government

Minister-designate for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga, has acknowledged that the National Cathedral project was a commendable idea, but expressed concerns over its poor execution. During his appearance before Parliament's Appointments Committee on Thursday, August 27, 2026, Ayariga, who represents Bawku Central, affirmed his support for the concept of constructing a National Cathedral for the country's Christian population.

However, he voiced criticism towards the choice of location for the Cathedral, stating that he had issues with the site selected. Ayariga emphasized that religion plays a significant role in the lives of Ghanaians, and the importance of places of worship such as churches, mosques, and others, even in a constitutionally secular country like Ghana.

This statement is likely to reignite discussions surrounding the National Cathedral project, which was launched during the tenure of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. Ayariga made it clear that his objection was not to the idea of a National Cathedral, but rather to the manner in which the project was carried out.