The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga, has disclosed that President John Dramani Mahama and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) have no objection to Ghana having a National Cathedral but want consensus on its location and funding.
He made the remarks when the Christian Council of Ghana paid a courtesy call on him.
Mr Ayariga called for unity among Christian denominations to deliberate on the project and agree on a common position before engaging President Mahama for direction.
He proposed bringing together leaders of the Catholic Church, Protestant denominations and other Christian organisations for a dispassionate discussion on the project.
According to him, the discussions should focus on the cost of the project, its proposed location and how it should be financed.
Mr Ayariga stressed that the NDC’s concerns are not about the establishment of a National Cathedral but rather the arrangements surrounding the project, particularly its location and funding.
“Based on what I pick from the conversations, then I will organise for us to engage with His Excellency, the President, for some direction as to how to proceed. I know for a fact that the President does not think there is anything wrong with the country having a national cathedral.
“Again, I know that the NDC as a party had issues with the location; is that okay? We had issues with funding sources. We just need to sit, all of us, around the table and build a consensus, and then the President will be able to lead us in the right direction,” he said.
He expressed confidence that a united Christian community in Ghana and abroad could mobilise the resources required to construct the Cathedral.
“If we secure a united front as Christians, I believe His Excellency President John Mahama will be able to lead us to wherever we want to go as a church,” he said.
The Minister cited the National Mosque as an example of how religious unity and international partnerships could support the financing of major national religious projects.
He therefore urged Christian leaders to set aside differences and build a common position on the National Cathedral before presenting their recommendations to the President.
