The John Mahama-led government has revealed 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”.
The National Cathedral was the brainchild of former President Nana Akufo-Addo as a national Christian worship centre and a symbol of Ghana’s religious heritage to thank God for ensuring his victory in election 2016 and 2020 elections.
The National Cathedral project was initiated in 2017 but was mired in controversy due to its high cost, the source of funding, and allegations of embezzlement of funds by its Board of Trustees.
It faced widespread criticism over the handling of its finances and execution, with several allegations of financial mismanagement and corruption surfacing throughout its development.
