Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga, has called for consensus among stakeholders on the funding and location of Ghana’s proposed National Cathedral before efforts to revive the project are advanced.
Speaking when a delegation from the Christian Council of Ghana paid a courtesy call on him, Mr Ayariga said both the funding arrangements and the proposed location had previously generated concerns within the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
“At the time that the initiative started, I was part of the minority in parliament that really felt that it wasn’t the right location and it wasn’t the right thing to demolish all the Houses of the judges,” he said.
He explained that the residences housed senior members of the judiciary, including Supreme Court and Court of Appeal judges, making the decision to demolish them a matter of concern.
Mr Ayariga, however, stressed that the NDC and President John Dramani Mahama did not oppose the establishment of a national cathedral in principle.
“I know for a fact that the President does not think there is anything wrong with the country having a national cathedral,” he said.
“Again, I know that the NDC as a party had issues with the location; is that okay? We had issues with funding sources.”
He said the way forward was to bring the various stakeholders together to reach an agreement on the outstanding issues.
“We just need to sit, all of us, around the table and build a consensus, and then the President will be able to lead us in the right direction,” Mr Ayariga said.
He added that he would engage the President after gathering views from the Christian Council and other stakeholders.
“Based on what I pick from the conversations, then I will organise for us to engage with His Excellency, the President, for some direction as to how to proceed,” he said.
For his part, the General Secretary of the Christian Council of Ghana, Rev. Dr. Cyril Fayose, said the Christian community remained willing to contribute towards the construction of the National Cathedral.
“I have mentioned in other places that the Christians in Ghana are willing to support the building of the National Cathedral, as you rightly pointed out, and we also know of international organizations and donor partners who are willing to support building it,” he said.
“What we need is the blessing of the state,” Rev. Dr. Fayose added, stressing that the Christian community was prepared to put political differences aside.
“We take away all the politics surrounding the building of the National Cathedral,” he said.
Rev. Dr. Fayose expressed confidence that the project could still be completed, saying, “I think it can be done by the grace of God.”
He further urged the government to provide the necessary support to facilitate the project.
“So as you come to the seat, we pray that what you said at the altar you make it come to pass,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mr Ayariga says a united position among Christians would strengthen efforts to secure the President’s support for the project.
“If we secure a united front as Christians, I believe His Excellency President John Mahama will be able to lead us to wherever we want to go as a church,” he said.
