Mustapha Gbande, the Deputy General Secretary of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), has said the party must apologise to the Akufo-Addo government if its allegations over the financing and management of the National Cathedral project are found to be wrong.
According to Gbande, the NDC has a responsibility to establish the truth behind claims it made while in opposition before supporting any move to rebuild the stalled National Cathedral project.
In a Facebook post, Gbande wrote, “If we were wrong, we must first collectively apologise to the NPP and the previous government”.
Mustapha Gbande added that he would welcome a monument built in Ghana “to the glory of God”; he, however, insisted that the NDC must uphold accountability and avoid double standards.
His post added, “I so much believe the NDC as a party will stay completely from this conversation of a national cathedral … without a complete and proper investigation”.
“At this point, the investigation is more important to the people of Ghana, angels from heaven and God himself than reconstruction and committees,” he said.
“Politics without boundaries, limits and principles is a dangerous arena,” he said.
Mustapha Gbande was reacting to the Christian Council of Ghana’s decision to establish a technical committee to examine the future of the National Cathedral.
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, “We 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 Project”.
“We 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,” he said.
“We 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,” Rev. Thompson said.
Earlier, the Christian Council of Ghana had 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.
@ghnow_ Shatta Wale has called on Stonebwoy to apologize to Sarkodie. #GHNow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ Shatta Wale has called on Stonebwoy to apologize to Sarkodie. #GHNow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
