Stephen Asamoah Boateng, often known as "Asabee," a candidate for the New Patriotic Party's national chairmanship, claims that the government has to "slow down" the building of the National Cathedral.
Asabee emphasised that pressing concerns like poverty and the nation's overall economic distress must be addressed first.
Although he had no doubts about the economic benefits of such a structure, he claimed that the government at the time needed to focus on other, more urgent problems.
"Look at the poverty that is occurring around you, at individuals who are struggling, and use your time to address that [poor]." In my view, if it continues through 2024 or 2026, [it is] good. We ought to go slowly.
Finally, the economy will benefit since such a structure cannot be wasted. We will generate revenue, but for the time being I would advise waiting a little bit if government funding is not coming in. On The Probe on Sunday, he said to Emefa Apawu, "Let's urge the private sector to push in, especially the Christian community.
The administration has come under fire for choosing to construct a national cathedral at a time when the economy is struggling. May's inflation rate was 27.6%, or 78 percent of GDP, and the country's debt has been estimated at GH391 billion. Critics are being led by the opposition NDC.
The North Tongu MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has accused the administration of utilising public funds to build the cathedral, saying that the Finance Ministry has issued unauthorised monies totaling GH200 million from tax payers for the project.
To combat poverty, "slow down" on the construction of the National Cathedral, says Asabee
The MP's allegations, however, have been refuted by the cathedral's National Secretariat.
Due to a lack of money, the cathedral's construction has been put on hold in the meantime.