President John Dramani Mahama has expressed concern that the purported budget required to fully construct the National Cathedral project is too much.

According to him, the reported $400 million cost of the project is excessive, especially considering the country’s current challenges.

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Speaking during a courtesy visit by the Christian Council of Ghana to the Jubilee House on November 18, 2025, the President acknowledged the need for an interdenominational centre of worship but noted that such a facility could be built using a more cost-effective approach.

To reinforce his point, President Mahama cited Nigeria’s ecumenical centre which he described as “a decent, beautiful place” built for $40 million, as an example of a more cost-effective approach.

“I believe that at this time and age, with all the problems we have, $400 million to build a cathedral is excessive. I know Nigeria have built an ecumenical center and I've been there. It's a decent, beautiful place and they built it for $40 million. And so, maybe some of the things are excessive, you know. Let's find somewhere, all of us, on National Day of Thanksgiving and worship, we can all go there and worship God and thank him for what he has done for us,” he said.

The President also hinted at actions that will be taken following a forensic audit into the National Cathedral project.

He noted that consultations will be held with various stakeholders to determine and share ideas on the most appropriate way to proceed with the project.

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“When that forensic audit is over, our intention is to have a broad-based consultation with the Christian community to see how we can build a place that is decent for us to worship. But apart from that, make it a center where people can come and, I mean, look at its architecture and all that and find that Christ, you know, has a place in our hearts, in our nation. And so, when the time comes, we'll do that consultation and we’ll decide together how we want to go forward,” he added.

MAG/EB

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