The first proposal to build a Catholic cathedral in Accra came from Apostolic Delegate David Matthews in 1947.

This was enthusiastically taken up by Adolph Noser who, in 1950, became the first Bishop of Accra.

Following a lengthy search for a suitable site, land in the West Ridge area of Adabraka was purchased from the British crown and the Methodist Church.

[1] The cathedral was designed by Joseph Jud and groundbreaking took place in 1952.

The first services took place the following year, although the building did not then have a roof.