The Christian Council of Ghana has announced the establishment of a technical committee to examine the future of the stalled National Cathedral project and recommend a way forward.
According to the Chairman of the Christian Council, Rev Enoch Nii Narh Thompson, the committee is expected to complete its work within a month and submit its recommendations to the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga.
Reports suggest the committee will bring together representatives from councils representing various Christian groupings, which will focus on some of the key outstanding issues, particularly the project’s funding and location.
Rev Thompson further disclosed that the Minister will study the committee’s findings before forwarding them to President John Dramani Mahama for the necessary decisions on the project.
Speaking to journalists after a closed-door meeting with the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Reverend Enoch Nii Narh Thompson stated, āWe have concluded that a technical committee will be composed by all the councils representing the various Christian groupings and that this council will, within a month, discuss all the issues regarding the practical dimensions of funding and location and any other things pertinent to the National Cathedral Projectā.
āWe will, within a month, present to the Honourable Minister the findings or the recommendations of this technical committee for his study and then onward forwarding to the President of the Republic for the necessary decisions to be taken,ā he said.
āWe are hopeful and trusting that these things will help to bring a conclusion to this matter that has lingered for a while over our national polity as a people,ā Rev. Thompson said.
Earlier, the Christian Council of Ghana has told the John Mahama government to set aside political differences over the National Cathedral and revive the stalled project.
Rev. Dr Cyril Fayose, the Christian Council of Ghana General Secretary, revealed that Christians in Ghana, as well as international organisations and donor partners, remained willing to support the cathedral project.
According to Rev. Dr Cyril Fayose, government backing would be crucial to getting the project back on track.
Speaking during a courtesy visit to the newly sworn-in Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga, the Christian Council of Ghana General Secretary stated, āI have mentioned in other places that the Christians in Ghana are willing to support the building of the National Cathedral, as you rightly pointed out, and we also know of international organizations and donor partners who are willing to support building it.
āWhat we need is the blessing of the state. We take away all the politics surrounding the building of the National Cathedral. I think it can be done by the grace of God. We have a song that says that the work is the law, so it cannot fail.
āSo because itās the law, we are going to build it. So as you come to the seat, we pray that what you said at the altar you make it come to pass,ā he said.
However, Mahama Ayariga also 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.
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