The Communications Director of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah, has asked the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) to refrain from politicising the National Cathedral project.

Rather than engaging in political rhetoric, he urged the NDC to focus on crafting a campaign message that resonates with the Ghanaian populace in preparation for the upcoming December elections.

In a statement posted on X on Thursday, March 7, Mr Ahiagbah defended the expenditure on the project, despite its current status at the foundation level.

There are those who are trying their hardest to ridicule the exalted task of building a National Cathedral in honor of God. Well, that's a poor idea because to build, one must dig, and if it is an elevated project like a National Cathedral, the kind we envision, then the…

— Richard Ahiagbah (@RAahiagbah) March 7, 2024

He explained that the foundation symbolises the core of the project, hence the associated costs.

Mr Ahiagbah further advised Ghanaians to disregard any attempts by the NDC to exploit the project for political gain in the upcoming elections.

"There are those who are trying their hardest to ridicule the exalted task of building a National Cathedral in honour of God. Well, that's a poor idea because to build, one must dig, and if it is an elevated project like a National Cathedral, the kind we envision, then the foundation represents the heart of the project, hence the cost."

• Read also: NDC MPs symbolically ‘commission’ unfinished National Cathedral project

"What I know is that the Cathedral project is a work in progress. If we persevere, it will be completed."

"The NDC must find a message to campaign with and stop politicizing the National Cathedral project," he posted.

His statement comes in the wake of a symbolic commissioning of the incomplete National Cathedral project by some Minority Members of Parliament, including North Tongu MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.

The purpose of this gesture was to draw attention to what they perceive as the government's failure to finalize the project.

Initially, opposition MPs were barred by security personnel from accessing the construction site of the controversial National Cathedral and issuing a statement there.

The cathedral, initially slated for commissioning on March 6 as indicated by former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta in the 2021 budget statement, has attracted criticism, particularly from minority MPs dissatisfied with its financial implications.

Despite being denied access to the construction site, the Minority MPs negotiated with security personnel to gather at the entrance. They conducted a press conference to voice their discontent with the ongoing project and its associated expenses.

Their symbolic commissioning of the unfinished National Cathedral project underscored their opposition to what they view as the government's mismanagement of the project.