Former Communications Minister, Felix Ofosu Kwakye has described the National Cathedral project as senseless and unreasonable.
Speaking to Nana Jantuah on Nhyira FM’s KuroYiMuNsem show, the outspoken politician criticized the government for using state funds to honor a personal pledge of the president. He described the initiative to build a cathedral as ‘senseless’ while the citizens are going through hardship.
According to Ofosu Kwakye, there are mega churches in Ghana that can accommodate thousands of Christians who want to worship God, and therefore the construction of a cathedral was unnecessary.
“How can someone’s pledge he made to God become a burden on the public funds? We have mega churches with big auditoriums that can accommodate thousands of people. It is senseless to commit $400 million of state funds to build a cathedral while Ghanaians are in need of better education, health, and water projects, among other things. We have already spent $58 million out of the $400 million without any benefits,” He stated.
The former aide to former President John Mahama noted the government has wasted 20 acres of prime land valued around $20 million, which had state properties, including the residence for judges and the passport office.
Mr. Ofosu Kwakye said the total cost of the land, as well as demolished residences and offices, including contractual payments, would amount to over $120 million with nothing to show.
“The lands around the ridge area are very expensive, and the 20 acres of land used for the cathedral are valued at around $20 million dollars. Aside from this, if the government is to pay all contracts awarded, the value of state properties destroyed all put together could amount to $120 million dollars with no proper job done so far,” he observed.
The former communications minister stressed that the next NDC government would not commit state funds to the National Cathedral but allow the churches to complete the project if they want to do so.
“We will not continue this cathedral project. I am a Christian, but I don’t believe in state funds being used for such a purpose other than meeting the needs of Ghanaians. We will go by CHRAJ’s recommendation and investigate the matter. I’m worried some reputable men of God involved themselves in this whole mess,” he said.
