National Cathedral Site to Become Cultural Edifice under 24-hour Economy Policy

The government has announced that the doomed National Cathedral site will be converted into a National Cultural Convention Centre (NCCC) under its flagship 24-hour economic policy.

A policy document covering the culture, creative arts and tourism aspects of the 24-hour initiative dubbed ‘SHOW24″ stated that the new NCCC is aimed at becoming the leading venue on the continent for international exhibitions, film festivals, trade shows and summits. 

The $58m National Cathedral pit became an albatross around the neck of the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration, which began the stalled project due to a ‘personal promise’ President Akufo-Addo had made to God.

Amid speculation of the project’s fate, the new policy document stated the way forward for the site, located in prime Accra real estate.

“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 stated.

“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,”

Other plans under the initiative include the establishment of a National Creators Academy to train youth in music, film, fashion, digital media, and cultural performance, as well as the construction or refurbishment of over 250 community centres to serve as venues for training, production, exhibitions, performances, and more.

The timeline for the project’s completion is 2030.

Analysis of repurposed National Cathedral site

The decision to turn the National Cathedral pit into a new all-purpose creative arts institute is apt, considering Ghana continues to position itself as the art, culture, and tourism capital of Africa.

The year of return, beyond the return and other similar initiatives have reaped millions for the local economy, and building on that in such a manner, integrated with the 24-hour economy, is commendable.

One can only hope that this time, everything is carried out to fruition and doesn’t turn out to be just big, empty promises.