A scene during the fundraising
RESIDENTS in Bono East Region including traditional authorities have contributed their widows’ mite towards the building of the National Cathedral during a launch of the project’s fundraising in the region.
The launch led by a member of the board of trustees of the National Cathedral of Ghana who is also the Secretary to the board, Victor Kusi Boateng, was well attended as residents freely contributed and made pledges towards the project in the Church of Pentecost auditorium at Dwomor in Techiman.
The event was a denominational ceremony including the Muslim community led by the Chief Imam from the region, the Church of Pentecost, Assemblies of God, the Methodist Church, the Roman Catholic Church among other local churches.
Addressing the congregants before the launch, the Regional Minister, Kwasi Adu Gyan, said the National Cathedral when finally completed would become an important national monument that gives credence to Ghanaians tolerance in diversity of faith.
He noted that generally Ghanaians are religious and express it in public life as captured in the national anthem, ‘God Bless Our Homeland Ghana’, adding “This is an expression in prayer affirming our belief in God.”
“We take our public oaths (oath of office) in the name of Almighty God and so I dare say it is not out of place to build a place where this God we affirm will dwell,” he emphasised, adding “it will also serve as tourists attraction centre where our history can be learnt and rake in revenue for the country.”
The minister also said, “I look forward to a day when the National Cathedral shall become a Mecca of a sort to many from within far and near, a place where people will come to learn our history, our culture, and our nationhood.”
In a sermon, the presiding member of the Church of Pentecost at Dwomor, Reverend Nii Kotei said Ghanaians should be happy President Akufo-Addo did not ask them to help him build a shrine for idol worship but a temple for God.
Preaching under the theme, ‘Responding To Building A Temple For God’, he likened the urge by President Nana Akufo-Addo to build a temple for God to Biblical Israel where God asked Moses to tell the people to contribute to build a temple for Him and as such many contributed gold and silver to the extent that Moses said it was enough.
Secretary to the Board of Trustees, Victor Kusi Boateng, on his part explained the cathedral when completed will encompass African Bible Museum which will be the biggest in the world, a Biblical Garden and a Biblical Restaurant, and increase tourism revenue capacity of Ghana of over 300 per cent.
It will also serve as a venue for national programmes like the inauguration of presidents among other religious ceremonies because it can hold between 5,000 and 20,000 people.
The occasion was graced by Omanhene of Techiman, Osadeyayo Akumfi Ameyaw V and Nkoranza Manhene.
FROM Daniel Y. Dayee, Techiman