Apostle Professor Opoku Onyinah, Chairman of the National Cathedral Board of Trustees and former Chairman of the Church of Pentecost, has publicly condemned what he describes as “100% lies” being circulated about the National Cathedral project. Speaking at an interactive session with church leaders, Apostle Onyinah expressed deep concern over the spread of misinformation that he believes undermines the project’s credibility.
“Some of the comments are very disturbing, especially those that are absolute lies,” Apostle Onyinah stated. “Some people try to tell complete lies about the Cathedral, and some comments are 100% lies about these things.” He drew parallels to the challenges he faced while establishing the Pentecost International Worship Centre (PIWC), noting that opposition and criticism are not uncommon in large-scale religious initiatives. Despite the falsehoods, he emphasized his commitment to pursuing what he believes is God’s will for the project. “I look forward to the Lord who has told me and who wants to do something, and I believe that at least the will of God will be done,” he added.
The National Cathedral, a vision championed by President Nana Akufo-Addo to unite Ghana’s Christian community, has faced significant scrutiny since its inception. Critics have raised concerns about the project’s funding, alleging mismanagement of public resources and questioning its necessity amidst Ghana’s economic challenges. In 2023, a letter published on GhanaWeb expressed discontent among some members of the Church of Pentecost, arguing that Apostle Onyinah’s involvement in the controversial project tarnished the church’s reputation. The letter highlighted public frustration over the use of taxpayer funds for a project initially promised to cost the state nothing.
However, Apostle Onyinah has previously defended the project, describing it as a “very good concept” in 2018, emphasizing its potential to foster unity among Ghana’s Christian majority. He clarified that the project is a partnership between the state and the church, with the state responsible for key decisions such as selecting the architect and land.
Recent developments have added complexity to the project’s trajectory. Following a Deloitte and Touche audit of the National Cathedral Secretariat’s operations from 2021 to 2023, President John Dramani Mahama ordered the dissolution of the Secretariat as of May 1, 2025, citing financial irregularities and procurement breaches. The audit’s findings, described as rocking “the very foundation of the project,” prompted the government to initiate a forensic audit and legal steps to terminate the project’s contract to prevent further costs to the state.
Despite these setbacks, Apostle Onyinah remains steadfast. In a letter dated September 24, 2024, he announced that Deloitte Ghana’s audit for the period ending December 31, 2020, found no adverse findings, confirming that proper financial records were maintained in accordance with the Companies Act, 2019. With this clearance, preparations are underway to resume construction, and further audits for 2021 to 2023 are ongoing.
Apostle Onyinah, appointed Chairman of the National Cathedral Board of Trustees in February 2021, has a distinguished record as a Pentecostal theologian and former leader of the Church of Pentecost, where he oversaw significant growth during his 42-year ministry. His leadership in the National Cathedral project continues to spark debate, with supporters viewing it as a divine assignment and critics questioning its alignment with Ghana’s pressing needs.
