President John Dramani Mahama says his administration remains committed to continuing viable policies and projects inherited from previous governments but does not consider the National Cathedral project a government policy it is obligated to complete.

Mahama said the cathedral originated as a personal pledge by former President Nana Akufo-Addo to God and should therefore be distinguished from national policies inherited by successive administrations.

"The only one is the National Cathedral, but that was not a national policy. It was a personal pledge by the former president. It was a personal pledge by the former president to God. So that one, it wasn't national policy," Mahama said.

The President made the remarks during a citizens' engagement as part of his tour of the Upper West Region.

MAHAMA SAYS HE DOES NOT OPPOSE A NATIONAL CATHEDRAL

Mahama stressed that his position should not be interpreted as opposition to the construction of a National Cathedral.

"I am a Christian myself. I have nothing against having a national cathedral," he said.

His objection, he explained, concerns the use of public funds to finance the project.

"My second problem was that we shouldn't use taxpayers' money," Mahama said.

He argued that Ghana's Christian community should be capable of mobilising the resources necessary to construct such a facility without depending on taxpayers.

"I mean, how many Christians are in this country? If we all pay 1,000 cedis each, we should be able to construct a national cathedral," he added.

PRESIDENT QUESTIONS CATHEDRAL LOCATION

Mahama also renewed his concerns about the location selected for the project, arguing that the area already contains several important public facilities.

He cited Parliament, the Accra International Conference Centre, the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, the National Theatre and other facilities in the surrounding area.

According to Mahama, adding another major development to the location could further constrict the area, particularly during large public events.

The President also criticised the scale of demolition carried out to prepare the cathedral site.

He said 10 judges' residences, the residence of the Malian Ambassador, the old passport office and other properties were demolished to make way for the project.

"My problem was also that the amount of destruction we had to cause to clear the area," Mahama said.

"We broke the Malian Ambassador's residence. Up to now, we've not replaced it."

FORENSIC AUDIT COMPLETED

Mahama also disclosed that a forensic audit into the National Cathedral project has been completed and submitted to the Attorney General.

He said the Christian Council would receive a copy to examine the processes surrounding the expenditure of almost $90 million on the project.

"The forensic audit is ready. It's with the Attorney General, and I'll make a copy of it available to the Christian Council so that they can look at the processes of what went into the expenditure of the 90 million dollars, so that if there's any corrective action, we can take it together," Mahama said.

The disclosure adds another dimension to the continuing debate surrounding the stalled project and the public funds already committed to it.

CHRISTIAN COUNCIL EXPLORES REVIVAL OF PROJECT

Mahama's comments follow an announcement by the Christian Council of Ghana that it has established a technical committee comprising representatives from various Christian groups to explore options for reviving the stalled National Cathedral project.

The committee has been given one month to develop a practical funding model and make recommendations concerning the proposed location and other outstanding issues.

Mahama's position leaves open the possibility of a National Cathedral being constructed but makes clear that his administration does not consider Akufo-Addo's original pledge an obligation that must be fulfilled with public money.