The Finance Minister, Ken Ofori Atta, has said that construction of the National Cathedral has largely been misunderstood by Ghanaians, arguing that the building would constitute an embodiment of the spiritual unity of Ghanaians.
Speaking on Ghana Broadcasting Corporation’s Talking Point on Sunday, monitored by The Sikaman Times, he indicated although the majority of Ghanaians are Christians, a greater majority of them are religious people, hence the cathedral would not only serve as a place for church services but for other major national events.
“There too is a recognition that 70% of the nation are Christians who embody certain beliefs; the Supreme Court ruling also did mention that over 90% of us are “religious” people, and therefore it is the nation’s responsibility to build an infrastructure to support what our beliefs are and that is important,” he said.
“I think people get the misconception that it is only for church services; we are really creating a space in which major national events and celebrations can occur there, which will bring the kind of unity that we envisage,” he added.
Mr. Ofori-Atta added that the National Cathedral would constitute one of the 3 pillars that the nation would need to develop. According to him, political independence, economic emancipation, and spirituality are three pillars key to the sustainable development of the country.
The construction of the National Cathedral has recently become a subject of national controversy following the transfer of some GHC25 million to one RIBADE Limited as “seed money” for the project. The deputy finance minister has said that so far about GHC31 million has been advanced by the state for the project.
However, North Tongu MP and Ranking Member on Foreign Affairs in Parliament, Mr. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has condemned the “ungodly” transfer of public funds for the project, considering the economic challenges the country is experiencing now.
All other things being equal, the USD350 million project is expected to be completed by March 2024.
