Ghana’s National Cathedral Spending Faces Fresh Scrutiny Over Hospital Funding
Attorney General Dr. Dominic Ayine has criticized the National Cathedral project's expenditure, suggesting funds could have completed Agenda 111 hospitals. His comments, made during President Mahama's tour, were informed by a recent PwC report, questioning the project's financial priorities and execution.
Ghana’s Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, has criticised the spending and approach surrounding the construction of the National Cathedral, arguing that funds committed to the project could have been used to complete several hospitals under the government’s Agenda 111 programme.
Ayine made the comments during the district launch of the Free Primary Health Care programme in the Bolga East Constituency as part of President John Dramani Mahama’s two-day “Resetting Ghana Tour” of the Upper East Region. His remarks have renewed debate over the government’s spending priorities and the management of major public projects.
Ayine said his assessment was informed by a PwC report on the National Cathedral, which he recently received and reviewed. According to him, the report reinforced his belief that resources spent on the cathedral could have been redirected towards critical healthcare infrastructure, particularly unfinished Agenda 111 hospitals. He also questioned the manner in which the religious project was pursued, arguing that the construction of a house of worship should have been approached differently.
The Attorney General’s comments place the National Cathedral project within a broader debate over public accountability, project management and competing national priorities. His argument suggests that expenditure on large-scale projects should be weighed against urgent needs such as healthcare infrastructure and access to essential services.
The renewed scrutiny could further intensify calls for transparency over the cathedral’s financing, expenditure and overall execution.