Satirist and talk show host Kwaku Sintim-Misa, popularly known as KSM, has taken a swipe at the Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga, over the possible revival of the National Cathedral project initiated by the previous administration.

In a video sighted by GhanaWeb on September 4, 2026, KSM criticised the Minister’s position on the National Cathedral.

“But that statement, dear Honourable Ayariga, that was the dumbest thing to have come out of the mouth of somebody who is coming up as a new minister to take charge,” KSM said.

He questioned why the country would consider returning to what he described as a controversial project.

“You're going to go back to this infamous, notorious cathedral. This cathedral, which is one of the most senseless ideas that we Ghanaians have said, we're going to pawn money, what, $19 million, whatever, into building a cathedral.

“A cathedral which, in our intelligence, decided that we'll import a stone from Israel... And this, for some people, it is one of the most intelligent decisions ever made. For me, it is one of the dumbest, most painful [decisions],” he said.

KSM further questioned the use of state resources to support the project, drawing a distinction between the National Cathedral and policies such as Free Senior High School.

He argued that while a government can make a national policy commitment, the National Cathedral originated from a personal pledge made by former President Nana Akufo-Addo.

KSM said such a pledge should not have resulted in government resources being used to finance the project.

“And then your administration comes to power and so he had to use the money from the government to build a cathedral. It is wrong,” he said.

He maintained that Ghana has more pressing needs that should take priority over the construction of a National Cathedral.

“We all know how useless it is. National Cathedral, it is the most significant policy blunder since Ghana's independence, in my view.

“When you look at our needs versus our demands, there is a poor country. You have to build schools and you have to build a hospital,” he noted.

KSM also questioned the role of the Christian Council of Ghana in discussions about reviving the project, arguing that the Christian community should be more concerned about whether the project and the manner in which it was pursued reflect Christian values.

“If the Christian Council will not be happy with the fact that the cathedral has been shoved to the will of affections, then overview the Christian Council, then I tell you that you Christians, you don't know the teachings of Christ.

“You don't know the teachings of Christ. Because if you know and understand the teachings of your Christ that you worship or the God that you worship, this is all unnecessary to the highest point,” he stated.

According to KSM, a project intended to be a house for God should be pursued with integrity and transparency.

“You know, so to build a house for God and you would think that it has been approached with such such a degree of righteousness,” he said.

KSM further questioned the circumstances surrounding the project and its expenditure.

“So be very correct because we are building a house for God. We better stay in the right lane and do something for God. No! On the contrary, there's so much looting and so much shady,” he added.

Mahama Ayariga’s position

His comments come after Ayariga indicated that the government is not opposed to Ghana having a National Cathedral but wants consensus on its location and funding.

Ayariga made the remarks when the Christian Council of Ghana paid a courtesy call on him.

He called for unity among Christian denominations to deliberate on the project and agree on a common position before engaging President John Dramani Mahama for direction.

Ayariga said he would engage the leadership of the Christian community and, if they remained committed to the construction of the National Cathedral, consult the President on the way forward.

See the video below:

The King of Satire, Kwaku Sintim Misa (KSM), has FIRED Mahama Ayariga, Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, over his recent comments on the needless national cathedral pic.twitter.com/NCYaDETSoU

— A-Jay🇨🇦🇬🇭 (@nyavorx) September 3, 2026