Government Takes Over National Cathedral Site After Freezing All Funding

In a major policy shift, the government has officially dissolved the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral and seized full control of the project site.

Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga, announced the decisive action during the Government Accountability Series on Monday, October 5, 2026.

He revealed that formal notification has already been dispatched to all board members, confirming the immediate termination of their roles.

"I have sent the letter to the board members informing them that they have been dissolved," Mr. Ayariga stated.

He explained that maintaining the board was no longer necessary following the government's firm stance against allocating further public funds toward the cathedral's construction.

The Minister added that the main contractor has been formally instructed to relinquish control of the site immediately to the Ministry of Local Government.

"Given that the National Cathedral is a property of the Government of Ghana, I've also directed the contractor to hand over the site to the Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs," he noted.

The government maintains that the ministry will hold and manage the property while awaiting further executive directives on the future of the land.

According to Mr. Ayariga, the next phase of action will depend heavily on the outcome of an ongoing legal review.

The Attorney-General is currently evaluating a comprehensive forensic audit conducted into the financial expenditures incurred under former President Akufo-Addo's administration.

"Based on the Attorney General's advice, we would know what the next steps are," Ayariga emphasized.

"But for now, the Board of Trustees stands dissolved, and the site reverts to the Ministry of Local Government."