The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. Mahama Ayariga, has urged faith-based organisations to build stronger operational ties with the government to tackle pressing national issues, including waste management and the stalled National Cathedral project.
Mr Ayariga made the remarks during a courtesy call by the executive leadership of the Christian Council of Ghana at his office in Accra. The wide-ranging bilateral talks covered crucial areas of mutual interest, such as education, healthcare delivery, religious tolerance, and urban sanitation.
A central theme of the engagement was the country’s persistent public health and waste management challenges. Addressing the delegation, the Minister stressed the urgent need for a shift in public attitudes towards environmental cleanliness, arguing that effective waste management must begin at the domestic level.
To improve refuse disposal across local communities, Mr Ayariga proposed that households adopt source-sorting by maintaining at least three separate bins for different types of waste. He also called for a renewed partnership with religious bodies to help revive and sustain the National Sanitation Day initiative.
In response, the Christian Council confirmed its readiness to partner with the ministry through its existing Environmental Care and Cleanliness Programme to support nationwide hygiene campaigns.
The talks also focused on the future of the National Cathedral. The General Secretary of the Council, Rev. Dr Cyril Fayose, stated that the Christian community remains committed to seeing the structure completed. He revealed that church leaders are prepared to mobilise both domestic and international resources for the build, but appealed to the government to establish the necessary administrative conditions for work to resume.
Addressing the controversy surrounding the project, Mr Ayariga emphasised that outstanding issues regarding the Cathedral’s location, ultimate cost, and overall financing model must be resolved through transparent dialogue and consensus.
He clarified that the administration does not oppose the construction of a National Cathedral, but urged leaders across the Christian faith to forge a unified stance on how best to move the project forward.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
