david adjaye plans ghana's new national cathedral in accra

in a ceremony marking ghana’s 61st year as an independent nation, the country’s president, nana addo dankwa akufo-addo, unveiled plans for a new national cathedral designed by british-ghanaian architect david adjaye. conceived as ‘a physical embodiment of unity, harmony and spirituality,’ the cathedral will serve as the nation’s ceremonial landmark where people from all faiths are able to gather, worship, and celebrate.

all images courtesy of adjaye associates

situated within 14 acres of newly landscaped gardens, the structure will house a series of chapels, a baptistery, a 5,000-seat two-level auditorium, a grand central hall, music school, choir rehearsal, art gallery, shop, and multi-use spaces. for the interiors adjaye associates plans to commission some of the most celebrated and progressive ghanaian and african artists who will collaborate with the practice to create the cathedral’s religious adornment and furnishings.

the site will serve simultaneously as a religious and cultural institution

adjaye associates’ concept for the cathedral draws from both christian symbolism and ghanaian heritage to form a 21st century landmark. importantly, the cathedral will serve simultaneously as a religious and a cultural institution — a new national landmark and a community hub for gathering and learning. the site will also be home to africa’s first bible museum and documentation center, dedicated to christianity and nation-building in ghana.

the design draws from both christian symbolism and ghanaian heritage

‘it is an immense honor to be granted the opportunity to contribute something of this scale and import to my home country,’ says david adjaye. ‘I have sought to craft a building that not only understands its landscape but one that will be unique to accra and the ghanaian nation.’

the cathedral will be situated within 14 acres of newly landscaped gardens

‘the cathedral will address the missing link in our nation’s architecture by providing a church of national purpose,’ adds president akufo-addo. ‘it will be an inter-denominational house of worship and prayer, as well as serve as the venue for formal state occasions of a religious nature, such as presidential inaugurations, state funerals and national thanksgiving services.’

the building will serve as the nation’s ceremonial landmark