Freddie Blay: Controversy over National Cathedral needless
The government has come under criticism recently, following reports that it has released GHC25 million as additional seed capital to construct the cathedral, which advocates hope will attract tourists interested in the history and culture of religion to Ghana
Freddie Blay, the national chairman of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), has described the controversy surrounding the National Cathedral as needless.
The government has come under criticism recently, following reports that it has released GHC25 million by way of additional seed capital to build the cathedral. Advocates of the project say it will attract tourists with an interest in the history and culture of religion to Ghana.
“People are talking about poverty: ‘There are schools under trees.’ People are talking about hospital beds, syringes. Even in the Bible it was said that ‘the poor will always be with us’. This is not going to carry all our economy; this is not in Yamoussoukro, this is in Accra here. It is not completely out of place,” said the former MP for Ellembelle.
“And therefore don’t make it look like as if a whole chunk of our finances is being channelled [towards] putting up a church. It is much ado about nothing. The issue has been blown out of proportion,” Blay said, speaking on TownHall Talk on Asaase Radio on Friday (17 June 2022).
He added: “Some say they want to find out how much is being spent on it. Yes, it is an issue of accountability: that will be done.”
Stop the National Cathedral
Meanwhile, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the opposition MP for North Tongu, has suggested to President Akufo-Addo that he consider calling a halt to the National Cathedral project.
The MP argues that much wealthier economies took longer to build similar projects than the four-year time frame that Ghana has set itself.
“Proverbs 21:3 — ‘Doing what is right and fair pleases the Lord more than an offering.’ We pray President Akufo-Addo ponders over this scripture and stops all his ungodly and unconstitutional actions in the name of a National Cathedral offering unto God. Expect more leaks this week,” Okudzeto Ablakwa posted on Facebook.
“Much wealthier economies took a longer period to construct their flagship cathedrals so other critical sectors do not suffer unduly. Washington NC: 82 years Milan Cath: 579 years London St Paul’s: 35 years Cologne Cath: 74 years ‘Super Rich’ Ghana, despite the current excruciating economic crisis, is doing four years (2020-2024). All hail the world’s Show Boy, Addo D,” he wrote.
Features of cathedral
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, accompanied by senior members of the clergy, laid the foundation stone for the National Cathedral on 5 March 2020 to signal the start of building work. A secretariat has since been set up to raise funds from individuals and the private sector for the building of the cathedral, as work on site proceeds.
The cathedral will house a series of impressive chapels, a baptistry, a two-level 5,000-seater auditorium, a grand central hall, a music school, choir rehearsal space, an art gallery, a shop, a café and multi-use spaces. It will also be home to Africa’s first Bible Museum and Documentation Centre, dedicated to Christianity and nation-building in Ghana.
A new ceremonial route and landscape will link the cathedral site to some of Accra’s most prominent landmarks – Independence Square, Osu Cemetery, State House and Africa Unity Circle.
Fred Dzakpata
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