President Akufo-Addo has dismissed calls for the government to hold on with the construction of the National Cathedral due to the prevailing economic conditions.
The President said there is no appropriate time for the building of such monuments.
Speaking for the first time after the controversy surrounding the funding for the project, he said the construction of the structure will fill a missing link in the nation’s spiritual architecture.
The President added that the cathedral will not only benefit Ghana but Africa in general upon completion.
He, however, said the cost should be borne by the Christian community with the state's support.
President Akufo-Addo spoke at the symposium of episcopal conferences of Africa and Madagascar on Tuesday, July 26.
“My personal view has always been that even though the Cathedral will be very much a national institution, the cost should be largely borne by the Christian community, with the state providing the land and initial funding to get the project off the ground.”
“Looking through the history of all the great cathedrals of the world, there has never been what can be called an appropriate time to build a cathedral. Invariably, it has taken many years, sometimes centuries, to complete,” the President said.
The government has been heavily criticised for deciding to build a national cathedral at a time economic conditions are not good. Inflation for May stood at 29.8%, equivalent to 78% of GDP while the country’s debt has been put at GH₵391bn with the main opposition party, NDC is leading the pack of critics.
North Tongu MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has accused the government of using state funds to build the Cathedral; adding that the Finance Ministry has released an unapproved amount of GH₵200 million of the taxpayers’ money to be used for the building of the project.
The National Secretariat of the cathedral has however dismissed these claims by the MP.
Meanwhile, the construction of the cathedral has stalled due to the unavailability of funds.
Latest Stories
-
Ghana needs urgent reset and inspiring leadership – Mahama
39 mins -
Asiedu Nketia cautions NDC: Don’t be complacent, election 2024 victory isn’t assured yet
57 mins -
Ongoing power crisis worst in the 4th Republic- Alhassan Suhuyini
58 mins -
Power challenges would be over in the next few days – Herbert Krapa
1 hour -
Full text: Acceptance speech by Prof Naana Opoku-Agyemang as Mahama’s running mate
1 hour -
Government’s fiscal adjustment on track – Report
1 hour -
Commercial drivers damn threats, unilaterally hike transport fares
2 hours -
Restore dignity to Vice President’s office – Fifi Kwetey to Prof Naana Opoku-Agyemang
2 hours -
Women face mounting pressures, feel unsafe at workplace – Deloitte
2 hours -
Bright Simons asks: Where is the KPMG report on SML contract audit?
2 hours -
GEXIM to celebrate Ghanaian workers with “Workers’ Mart Tuesday Market”
3 hours -
Ghanaians need honesty on the part of the government – Alhassan Suhuyini
3 hours -
We cannot compete; we need to collaborate – George Quaye on projecting theatre
3 hours -
GRIDCo to receive 100MW power supply from IPPs in coming days
4 hours -
How technology is weaving African markets into the global fabric
4 hours