Taxpayers’ money must not be funnelled into the construction of the National Cathedral, President John Dramani Mahama has declared, maintaining that the Christian community possesses the financial muscle to finance the project independently.
Addressing supporters during his Resetting Ghana Tour of the Upper West Region on Saturday, September 12, the President of the ruling National Democratic Congress clarified that whilst he bears no animosity towards the concept of a National Cathedral, public funds should never have been allocated to it since it stemmed from a personal vow made by former President Nana Akufo-Addo.
President Mahama emphasised that unlike standard state policies passed down through successive governments, the cathedral initiative remains an anomaly.
“Projects and policies we inherited, we have continued the only one is the National Cathedral. But that was not a national policy. It was a personal pledge by the former president. It was a personal pledge by the former president to God,” he stated.
According to him, the vast Christian populace across the country and abroad can easily pool resources to bring the edifice to fruition without leaning on state coffers.
“How many Christians are in this country? If we all pay a thousand cedis each, we should be able to construct a National Cathedral,” he argued.
Beyond the financial controversy, he raised sharp concerns regarding the location chosen for the cathedral. Pointing out that the area already houses vital public infrastructure—including Parliament, the Accra International Conference Centre, the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, and the National Theatre—he warned that placing another massive structure there would severely choke space for state functions.
He further condemned the destruction of state and diplomatic properties to clear the site, referencing the flattened residences of 10 judges, the Malian Ambassador’s official residence, and the former passport office.
Updating the public on accountability measures, Mahama revealed that a forensic audit into the nearly $90 million expended on the cathedral project has been concluded and handed over to the Attorney-General.
The report, he noted, will also be shared with the Christian Council of Ghana to ensure complete transparency regarding how public funds were utilised.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
