The founder of the Bible Museum postponed a trip due to 'noise' from the National Cathedral - CEO.
Dr. Paul Opoku Mensah, Chief Executive Officer of the National Cathedral project, has revealed that 'negative reporting' about the project has hampered fundraising efforts.
Earlier this week, he met with clergymen in Kumasi, the Ashanti Regional capital, and called on the Christian faithful to renew their support for the project.
"Even our fundraising was impacted because, at the time of the noise, we were in the process of bringing one of our key international donors, the founder of the Bible Museum, Mr. (Steve) Green, who was scheduled to arrive in July."
"All of a sudden, they send this thing that, what are we hearing? All this noise about this Cathedral, they say you are misapplying money… of course, that affects this project and our country’s development," he stated.
He said the 32 million cedis raised so far were from local sources without the international fundraisers. He said the amount was not enough but that on 1st September, they will be rolling out a new campaign to raise more funds.
The Kumasi Christian Churches' leader also encouraged members to support the project.
The National Cathedral project's current status
The project has recently been embroiled in a slew of controversies, including allegations of corruption involving payments made to the architect, as well as issues of parliamentary breaches and corporate governance issues.
North Tongu MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who has been at the forefront of the investigation, insists that the government has committed over 200 million cedis to the project.
Meanwhile, construction on the Cathedral site has been halted due to a lack of funds.
read also : Nothing can prevent us from constructing the National Cathedral- Kusi Boateng.
Nothing, according to Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng, Secretary to the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral, can halt the construction of the National Cathedral.
Rev. Kusi-Boateng stated at a press conference held by the Kumasi Council of Christian Churches on Thursday in Asuoyeboa, Kwadaso Municipality, Ashanti Region, that "no words, actions, or inactions from Ghanaians or even any of the Board Members can impede the construction of the National Cathedral."
The pastor also took advantage of the opportunity to dispel rumors that some prominent members of the Board of Trustees had resigned due to mismanagement or misappropriation of funds.
"We, the board members, wish to state unequivocally that none of our members have resigned from the board, with the exception of Dr. Mensah Otabil, for reasons that cannot be disclosed to the general public," Reverend Boateng stated.
Most Rev. Prof. Daniel Yinka Sarfo, Chairman of the Kumasi Council of Christian Churches, also urged all Ghanaian Christians, particularly those under his jurisdiction, to contribute to the cathedral's construction.
"Is it a blessing or a curse to build a National Cathedral?" he asked rhetorically. The "irony of it all is that while Muslims support it, some so-called Christians are against it [Cathedral]," he adds.
He then pleaded with Ghanaians to donate GH100 monthly to support the cathedral's construction.
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