Mahama Ayariga
The Minister-designate for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga, has thrown his support behind the completion of the National Cathedral, saying the project was a good idea despite what he described as shortcomings in its execution.
He said if approved by Parliament, he would engage the leadership of the Christian community and President John Dramani Mahama to explore ways of reviving the project and mobilising support for its completion.
Mr. Ayariga made the commitment when he appeared before Parliament’s Appointments Committee for his vetting yesterday.
“I think it was a good idea that was badly executed. Otherwise, I don’t think there’s a problem with the National Cathedral,” he said.
He explained that his concerns about the project had been largely personal rather than political, particularly the choice of location.
According to him, the location selected for the project could worsen traffic congestion in the area, while the government could have considered using available land along the coast rather than demolishing existing bungalows.
“I thought that the location would rather just increase the traffic congestion in that neighbourhood,” he said.
Mr. Ayariga also criticised the financing approach adopted for the project, arguing that greater effort should have been made to mobilise private and philanthropic support for its construction.
“I believe that we should have mobilised a lot of private and philanthropic support for the construction, and that also, I think, was a shortfall of the entire project,” he said.
He nevertheless expressed his willingness to support the project if the Christian community remained committed to its construction.
“If I am approved by this House and I become the Minister responsible for Religious Affairs, I will engage the leadership of the Christian community in this country,” he said.
He added that he would also engage the President and, if the President supported the continuation of the project, he would “wholeheartedly support and mobilise for the project to be continued, and God willing, completed.”
Mr. Ayariga also pledged, if approved, to help improve relations between Members of Parliament (MPs) and Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs).
He said conflicts between MPs and MMDCEs could undermine the effectiveness of government as well as damage the electoral prospects of political parties.
“For any group that is in government, it is not a good thing, whichever way you look at it, because if you undermine each other, you are threatening the very viability of the political group,” he stated.
He said he understood the difficulties MPs could face when MMDCEs in their constituencies worked against them, and promised to use his experience and office to help resolve such disputes.
Mr. Ayariga further affirmed the right of MPs to use their Common Fund within the framework of the Constitution, relevant legislation and the formula approved by Parliament.
By Ernest Kofi Adu, Parliament House