Christians can fund National Cathedral with GH¢1,000 each, not taxpayers' money - Mahama

President John Mahama has stated that Ghana's Christian community has the financial capability to build a National Cathedral without using taxpayer money. He proposed that each Christian in the country contribute GH¢1,000 to raise the necessary funds. During a citizens' engagement tour in the Upper West Region, the President expressed no objection to the construction of a National Cathedral but emphasized that public funds should not be used for it.

He argued that with the country's large Christian population, raising GH¢1,000 from each person could cover the project's expenses.

Mahama urged Christian groups to take the lead in mobilizing the required resources for the project. He raised concerns about the location of the National Cathedral, pointing out that the site is surrounded by major public institutions such as Parliament, the International Conference Centre, the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, and the National Theatre. He claimed that the proposed location would cause further constriction in the area and disrupt existing facilities.

The President also criticized the demolition of several properties, including 10 judges' residences, the residence of the Malian Ambassador, and the old passport office, to make way for the cathedral. He expressed his concern over the destruction caused during the clearance process, stating that these properties had not been replaced.

Mahama reiterated that his stance should not be seen as opposition to the construction of a National Cathedral, emphasizing that he is a Christian himself and has no issue with its establishment. He also mentioned that a forensic audit of the project's expenditure, amounting to almost $90 million, had been completed and is awaiting review by the Christian Council of Ghana.