Government To Turn National Cathedral Into A New Cultural Centre

The government of Ghana has announced intentions to turn the stalled National Cathedral project into a National Cultural Convention Centre (NCCC). This will be a major hub for Ghana’s new growth of expansion for the creative industry and cultural diplomacy activities.

The NCCC, which will be established in collaboration with the AfCFTA Secretariat, is anticipated to become Africa’s premier location for international exhibitions, film festivals, trade shows, and summits, as per a policy document under the new 24-hour economy initiative for culture, creative arts, and tourism called “SH0W24.”

The government claims that this project will fill a significant infrastructure vacuum without going against national or religious principles.

According to the proposal, the National Cathedral site would be transformed into the National Cultural Convention Centre (NCCC) in collaboration with the AfCFTA Secretariat as a daring flagship initiative. By holding international exhibitions, film festivals, trade shows, and summits, this location will act as Africa’s leading platform for cultural diplomacy and the creative economy, bridging a crucial infrastructural vacuum without interfering with religious or cultural institutions or national values.

The NCCC project is a component of a larger strategy to revitalize the tourism, cultural, and creative arts industries as the cornerstones of economic change. It represents a major change in the usage of the contentious cathedral site, which has come under fire from the public due to delays, cost overruns, and its applicability.

The center will act as a major hub for Ghana’s infrastructure related to the creative economy under the SH0W24. Large-scale exhibitions and events are anticipated to take place there, solidifying Ghana’s position on the global cultural map.

Phase 1 of implementation (2025–2026) is when feasibility studies for SHOW24 are planned, and Phase 3 (2028–2030) is when full commissioning is anticipated.

The National Creators Academy will also be established as part of the SHOW24 initiative to teach young people digital media, fashion, music, cinema, and cultural performance. Along with business and cultural knowledge, the training will incorporate contemporary technologies like artificial intelligence and virtual reality.

Additionally, as part of the 24H+ Community Center Network, more than 250 community centers will be constructed or renovated around the country. These will be open around-the-clock and function as training, production, exhibition, and performance spaces, promoting local creative industries and nighttime economic activity.

The Ghana Cultural Passport, a digital portal that provides travelers, particularly those from the diaspora, with carefully selected cultural experiences, will also be introduced as part of the program. While licensing and export assistance systems will link local creatives to international distribution networks, Ghana’s embassies will be outfitted to encourage creative exports.

In order to encourage innovative entrepreneurs and businesses, funding support will be given through the 24H+ Value Chain Financing Facility and a Technical Assistance Grant Facility.

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The administration thinks that the conversion into the NCCC will turn the contentious site into a place of inclusive national value, marking a significant policy shift.

After taking over as the country’s first gentleman, President Mahama’s administration vehemently opposed any more public funding for the National Cathedral. In order to reflect Ghana’s religious diversity, several voices first advocated turning it into an Interfaith and Cultural Center.

The government began a forensic investigation of the project after receiving a directive from the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), to uncover any public-fund misuse.

President Mahama questioned the project’s high cost of $400 million, noting that a comparable facility in Nigeria cost only $30 million.