Mahama Ayariga, the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, has revealed that President John Dramani Mahama and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) have no objection to the National Cathedral.
According to Mahama Ayariga, the NDC government wants a consensus on the location and funding of the National Cathedral project.
Mahama Ayariga called on Christian denominations to deliberate on the project and agree on a common position before engaging President Mahama.
The Local government minister proposed bringing together leaders of the Catholic Church, Protestant denominations and other Christian organisations for a dispassionate discussion on the National Cathedral.
Speaking when the Christian Council of Ghana paid a courtesy call on him, Mahama Ayariga stated, “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. I know for a fact that the President does not think there is anything wrong with the country having a national cathedral.
“Again, I know that the NDC as a party had issues with the location; is that okay? We had issues with funding sources. 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,” he said.
“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.
Meanwhile, Mahama Ayariga earlier pledged to mobilise funds for the construction of the abandoned National Cathedral if the project receives the backing of the Christian community and President John Dramani Mahama.
According to Mahama Ayariga, the National Cathedral was a good idea, but badly executed.
Appearing before Parliament’s Appointments Committee for his vetting as part of the process leading to his possible approval as Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, he stated, “I believe that Ghanaians are deeply religious even though constitutionally, we are regarded as a secular state. I believe that having cathedrals, church buildings, mosques and other worshipping centres are great and exciting things that enable the practice of religions.
“And so in my opinion, I don’t think there is anything wrong with having a national cathedral for the Christians of the country. And if you are talking about the National Cathedral that Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo initiated when he was president, I don’t see anything wrong with it. I think it was a good idea that was badly executed. I personally had issues with the location.”
“I want to assure this House that if I am approved, I will engage the leadership of the Christian Community and if they want to still have it, I will engage with the President and if it is his wish, I will mobilise funds [for] its construction,” he said.
In the meantime, the long-awaited forensic audit report into the National Cathedral project has been completed and submitted to the Attorney General for review.
According to the Attorney General, the Akufo-Addo government could have used funds committed to the National Cathedral to complete some Agenda 111 hospital projects.
He further disclosed that he has a report prepared by audit and consulting firm PwC on the National Cathedral, adding that the findings had reinforced his concerns about the resources committed to the project.
Dr Ayine questioned the manner in which the National Cathedral project was undertaken, arguing that the construction of a religious facility should have taken a different approach.
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