Rev. Dr. Opuni Frimpong, former General Secretary of the Christian Council of Ghana, has proposed that churches shoulder the national cathedral's financial burdens.
When finished, he believes the national cathedral will be a symbol of Christian unity.
God's Promise
President Akufo-Addo said that he made a promise to God before winning the 2016 elections, which was fulfilled with the construction of the Cathedral.
The government has already removed all structures on the intended site for the National Cathedral at Ridge in Accra, and construction is underway.
On March 6, 2024, it is also set to be commissioned.
The 5,000-seat auditorium will also leave the country with a beautiful national park for all Ghanaians, as well as new skills, technology, and knowledge. jobs to the country while also serving as a tourism attraction for national, regional, and international visitors.
The National Cathedral is expected to cost more over $100 million, according to Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta in 2019. It was later changed to $340 million.
Project "Righteous"
Following specific statements by both high government officials and significant opposition members this week, controversy over the construction of a National Cathedral erupted.
The National Cathedral project has so far cost about GH 200 million in taxpayer funds.
The Finance Minister stated that the National Cathedral received just a little percentage of the government's annual budget.
On Sunday, Mr Ofori-Atta, speaking on the state television GTV, praised the proposal as a just one. is essential for national spirituality and change.
Inability to be forthright
Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Ranking Member of Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee, believes the government's approach to building the National Cathedral is problematic.
"The entire arrangement, the entire system is really profoundly buried in criminality and lack of forthrightness," he claims.
Perhaps it is in this light that Rev Opuni Frimpong, the current Convener for Christian Advocacy of Africa, told Okay Fm's Ade Akye Abia morning show that, while the cathedral's construction has been a government promise, it will serve Christians' right to build the cathedral for God and prevent ongoing discussions about the project's financing.
It will also preclude subsequent debates about whether or not another government should spend taxpayer money to build a shrine or a mosque based on his religious beliefs, he added.
"This country is home to a variety of religious groups, including Buddhists, Muslims, and even traditional worshipers. So, if a government comes to power and declares that it does not believe in Christianity but is a traditionalist, will we allow the government to erect a national shrine using taxpayer money?
"Christians used their money and labor to construct temples for God, according to the Bible, and we, the current generation of Christians, should be willing and devoted to building a cathedral for God.
We claim to believe in a God. A government should not be solely responsible for the construction of a cathedral.
"While a government or a president may have promised to construct a cathedral for Christians, the present trend of discussion and analysis around the project will enable conscientious Christians to build the cathedral for God via diverse donations offered by the churches." We won't give our Lord anything that doesn't cost us anything?