Stories and facts

Rising majestically in Accra’s Kanda district, the Ghana National Mosque ranks as West Africa’s second-largest place of worship. Completed in 2021 at an estimated cost of US$10 million, the project received substantial backing from the Turkish government and the Hudai Foundation.

The mosque occupies a generous 42-acre site, generously donated in 1995 by former President Jerry John Rawlings. This land was earmarked for the mosque following the removal of the original building during the development of Rawlings Park.

Embodying the grand Ottoman revival style, the mosque pays architectural tribute to Istanbul’s renowned Blue Mosque. Its striking features include four minarets soaring to 65 metres, pristine Carrara marble façades, cascading domes, and intricately crafted stained-glass windows.

Upon entering, worshippers find themselves surrounded by meticulously hand-painted Quranic calligraphy, sumptuous carpets, and a finely carved marble mihrab adorned with a stalactite niche and a distinctive double inscription panel.

Beyond its sacred function, the mosque operates as a lively cultural and community centre. The sprawling complex incorporates a library, senior high school, research institute, clinic with pharmacy, administrative and conference spaces, guest accommodation, and an Islamic mortuary.

Its inauguration was attended by notable figures including President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia, alongside prominent Islamic leaders from Ghana and abroad, highlighting the mosque’s significance as a beacon of religious unity and a testament to the enduring Ghana–Turkey partnership.

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