The National Cathedral is an inter-denominational Christian cathedral currently under construction in Ghana's biggest city, Accra. The idea of the cathedral, was a personal vow made by the then flag bearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo-Addo, before becoming president.
The Idea, and the construction of the Cathedral generated many controversies in Ghana, and eventually dividing the Ghanaian populace. Whereas a section of the population supports the National Cathedral, majority also stands against it; and believing it is a complete waste of Ghanaian's money, considering the fact, that there are economic hardships currently facing the country.
The Latest brouhaha surrounding the construction of the National Cathedral reveals that, the Executive Director of the National Cathedral Secretariat, Dr. Paul Opoku-Mensah has denied claims, that an amount of GH¢28 million has been paid to Cary Summers (a US consultant), to organize a fundraiser in the US for the National Cathedral construction.
Dr. Opoku-Mensah has revealed that, the said amount (GH¢28 million) was rather paid to the Nehemiah group, of which Cary Summers, the founding President of the Museum of the Bible in Washington DC, and one of the world’s leading experts on religious theme parks, is the CEO.
Dr. Opoku Mensah In a statement release dated January 7, 2023 revealed that, “this contract is for a set of consultancy services, the most important being the coordination of work on the National Cathedral’s Bible Museum of Africa, and the Biblical Gardens of Africa. As we have indicated, the integration of the Bible Museum –the largest in the world when completed – and the Biblical Gardens are aimed at transforming Ghana into a hub for international pilgrimage and tourism”.
He added in the release that, “The work of the National Cathedral’s Bible Museum and Biblical Gardens involves some of the leading global firms, who between them have worked on some of the major museums in the world. They include: Kubik Maltbie; PRD; Cortina Productions; JMC. The payments to the Nehemiah group, therefore, is not to Cary Summers to organize a fundraiser, but to these world-class firms for their work on the Bible Museum and Biblical Gardens”.
Dr. Opoku-Mensah further explained that, “a project of this nature that significantly raises the issues of faith and national development, will always have its discontents, malcontents, as well as those who
would use lies, and reckless populist statements to give the impression of wanting accountability. The Board and Management of the National Cathedral Project remains focused and committed to the completion of the National Cathedral, and would continue to do so with diligence, integrity, excellence, and accountability”.
The National Cathedral of Ghana will house about 5,000 seater auditorium, a baptistery, a music school, an art gallery and a Bible museum, when completed. It will also be the first of it's kinds in the history of Ghana.
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