The government has announced plans to repurpose the stalled National Cathedral project into a National Cultural Convention Centre (NCCC) — a bold move aimed at transforming the site into a flagship hub for Ghana’s creative economy and cultural diplomacy.
Outlined in the newly launched SH0W24 policy framework — a 24-hour economy initiative for the culture, creative arts, and tourism sectors — the NCCC is being developed in collaboration with the AfCFTA Secretariat. It is expected to become Africa’s leading venue for cultural exhibitions, international film festivals, trade shows, and high-profile summits.
According to the policy document, the conversion will address Ghana’s longstanding cultural infrastructure gap, while respecting religious and national sensitivities.
“A bold flagship intervention is proposed at the national level: converting the National Cathedral site into the National Cultural Convention Centre (NCCC) in partnership with the AfCFTA Secretariat. The venue will be Africa’s premier hub for cultural diplomacy and creative economy forums — filling a critical infrastructure gap without conflicting with national values or religious institutions,” the document states.
The NCCC forms part of a broader vision to position Ghana as a leader in creative innovation and cultural export. This development also marks a significant redirection for the controversial National Cathedral project, which has faced backlash over funding, delays, and relevance.
Under SH0W24, the NCCC is envisioned as the crown jewel of Ghana’s creative economy infrastructure. The centre will host large-scale global events that boost Ghana’s visibility in the international arts and culture landscape.
Feasibility studies for the NCCC and other aspects of SH0W24 are set to begin in Phase 1 (2025–2026), with the project’s full rollout targeted for Phase 3 (2028–2030).
Key components of the SH0W24 initiative include:
- A National Creators Academy: A training institution focused on music, film, fashion, digital arts, and performance. It will incorporate cutting-edge tools like AI, VR, and entrepreneurial skills.
- A 24H+ Community Centre Network: Over 250 community centres will be built or renovated nationwide. These hubs will operate around the clock, supporting training, exhibitions, and live performances to foster local creative economies.
- The Ghana Cultural Passport: A digital platform for curated cultural experiences aimed at tourists, especially the African diaspora. Embassies will also be equipped to support cultural promotion and export.
- Creative Financing Support: The programme will establish the 24H+ Value Chain Financing Facility and a Technical Assistance Grant Facility to sustain creative enterprises and entrepreneurs.
The policy paper highlights the creative sector’s capacity to generate employment, drive innovation among youth, and elevate Ghana’s global cultural profile. However, it also acknowledges challenges like fragmented talent pipelines and underdeveloped infrastructure — issues that SH0W24 aims to resolve.
By Phase 2 (2026–2027), Ghana expects to operationalize the Ghana Cultural Passport, establish regional cultural programmes, and roll out creative districts. Phase 3 will shift focus to global partnerships and export-led growth.
The decision to pivot from the National Cathedral to the NCCC signals a major shift in policy direction. Originally launched in 2018 as a national Christian worship centre, the Cathedral project was marred by controversy, including delays, cost overruns, and lack of transparency in public funding.
Though it was promised that the Cathedral would rely primarily on private donations, significant public funds were diverted toward its construction, prompting backlash from civil society, opposition parties, and some religious leaders.
Transforming the site into the NCCC represents a new chapter — one the government believes will unite Ghanaians through inclusive cultural engagement and turn a contentious project into a strategic national asset.