Koku Anyidoho, the founder and CEO of the Atta Mills Institute for Transformational Development, has stated he fully supports the conversion of the National Cathedral project into a National Cultural Convention Centre under its proposed 24-hour economic plan.
According to Kuku Anyidoho, the National Cultural Convention Centre is a forward-thinking decision that puts the national interest above partisan politics.
He noted that once a structure carries the national flag and serves the people of Ghana, he is fully in support of it.
Speaking in an interview, Koku Anyidoho stated, “For me, whether it is a National Cathedral or a National Cultural Centre, once the structure carries the national flag and serves the people of Ghana, I am fully in support of it”.
“That prime land is too strategic for our national spatial development. I’m simply relieved that the project will remain a national asset and not be handed over to private developers. That alone makes this decision worth supporting,” he emphasised.
He added, “As we approach July 24, which marks 13 years since we lost President Atta Mills, I remember his words: there is more that unites us than divides us. I see this decision in that light, it is about bringing the nation together, whether through religion or culture. I leave those who want to play petty partisan politics to continue”.
“I choose to look at this issue from a nationalistic, patriotic, and statesmanlike perspective. As long as the project is not left to rot and continues under the Ghanaian flag, I pray it is completed for the benefit of current and future generations.”
Anyidoho added, “The petty partisan politics are killing this dear country of ours. Changing minds when faced with new realities is not a sign of failure. It’s a sign of responsible governance based on facts, not fiction.”
His comment comes following the John Mahama-led government’s revealing plans to transform the abandoned National Cathedral project into a National Cultural Convention Centre (NCCC).
The NCCC will focus on growing Ghana’s cultural diplomacy and creative economy.
According to the policy document under the new 24-hour economy, called the SHOW24, it revealed plans that a National Cultural Convention Centre (NCCC) will be set up in collaboration with the AfCFTA Secretariat.
The move is to make the place Africa’s premier location for trade shows, international exhibitions, film festivals, and summits.
The government noted that the initiative will address a critical infrastructure gap while avoiding conflict with religious or national values.
A report by myjoyonline.com quotes the document as saying, “At the national level, a bold flagship intervention is proposed: converting the National Cathedral site into the National Cultural Convention Centre (NCCC), in partnership with the AfCFTA Secretariat.
This venue will serve as Africa’s premier cultural diplomacy and creative economy forum, hosting international exhibitions, film festivals, trade shows, and summits-filling a critical infrastructure gap without conflicting with national values or faith institutions.”
“Under SHOW24, the centre will serve as the crown jewel in Ghana’s creative economy infrastructure.
It is projected to host large-scale events and exhibitions that will place Ghana firmly on the global cultural map”.
