Gov’t To Convert National Cathedral into Cultural Convention Centre in Bold Creative Economy Push

The government has announced a landmark decision to repurpose the stalled National Cathedral project into a National Cultural Convention Centre (NCCC)—a game-changing initiative aimed at redefining Ghana’s position in Africa’s creative economy.

Unveiled under the new 24-hour economy strategy for culture, arts, and tourism dubbed “SHOW24”, the conversion marks a bold policy pivot, transforming a controversial religious edifice into Africa’s flagship venue for cultural diplomacy, exhibitions, trade shows, and creative summits.

According to the policy document, the NCCC will be developed in partnership with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, positioning Ghana as a global cultural powerhouse while bridging the infrastructure gap in the creative and tourism industries.

“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,” the document states.

“This venue will serve as Africa's premier cultural diplomacy and creative economy forum… filling a critical infrastructure gap without conflicting with national values or faith institutions.”

■ From Controversy to Cultural Renaissance

The National Cathedral—once envisioned as a non-denominational Christian worship centre and symbol of national unity—has been mired in controversy since its 2018 launch, with issues ranging from cost overruns, transparency concerns, to public backlash over the use of state funds. Its transformation into a secular cultural and economic asset signals a major shift in national priorities.

■ SHOW24: A Multi-Phase Plan for Cultural Transformation

Under the SHOW24 plan, the NCCC will serve as the crown jewel of Ghana’s creative infrastructure. It will anchor a broader rollout of creative economy interventions, including:

A National Creators Academy:

Training youth in music, fashion, film, digital arts, and cultural performance using modern tools like AI and VR.

A 24H+ Community Centre Network:

Over 250 community hubs nationwide, operating around the clock as local venues for training, performance, and production.

Ghana Cultural Passport:

A digital platform offering curated tourism and cultural experiences for both locals and the diaspora.

Export Support and Embassy Promotion:

 Boosting international visibility and trade of Ghanaian cultural products via diplomatic channels.

The initiative will be rolled out in three phases:

● Phase 1 (2025–2026): Feasibility studies and planning for NCCC and SHOW24 components.

● Phase 2 (2026–2027): Operationalisation of the Cultural Passport, creative district rollouts, and regional cultural programmes.

● Phase 3 (2028–2030): Full commissioning of NCCC, global partnerships, and export expansion.

■ Funding and Policy Backing

The government plans to support the creative sector through the 24H+ Value Chain Financing Facility and a Technical Assistance Grant Facility, both aimed at sustaining creative enterprises and boosting entrepreneurship.

While acknowledging persistent challenges—such as poor infrastructure and fragmented industry support—the SHOW24 policy presents a cohesive and ambitious response, placing culture and creativity at the heart of Ghana’s economic transformation.

■ A New Chapter for a Divisive Project

With this announcement, the government seeks to reframe the narrative around the National Cathedral, turning what was once a deeply polarising symbol into a centre for national unity, youth innovation, and international collaboration.

“This is not just a change of name or purpose—it’s a reimagining of what Ghana stands for in the global space,” a Ministry of Tourism official noted.