President Akufo-Addo inspecting the model of the National Cathedral
For his political opponents and his critics, the idea to build a national cathedral was needless and a waste of resources.
But for President Akufo-Addo, it is in fulfilment of a pledge he made to the Lord.
Speaking at a fundraising dinner for the construction of the national cathedral at the forecourt of State House in Accra, the president explained the rationale behind his decision to build the edifice in spite of the criticism that has come his way.
He revealed that the building of a national cathedral in the capital city was a pledge he made to God ahead of the 2016 elections and, therefore, he is totally committed to ensuring that he fulfils his vow to God.
“The building of the national cathedral is to serve as a gesture of thanksgiving to God for His blessings, favour, grace and mercies on our nation and to give me an opportunity to redeem a pledge I made to Him before I became president,” he pointed out.
The building of the national cathedral, he said, would not be a burden on the state.
“That is the reason why we are mobilising the Christian community, home and abroad, to join us in partnership to raise the needed resources to build the cathedral,” the president emphasized.
President Akufo-Addo acknowledged that not everyone in Ghana shares in his view of wanting to build the cathedral to the glory and honour of God.
“I am aware that there are some who do not share my views on this matter,” the president said.
He continued, “I respect their right to differ, but I am confident in my decision by the vast numbers of enthusiastic supporters of this project whose spiritual dimension is limitless.”
The president added, “As I launch this fundraising campaign for the national cathedral project, I am confident that, like the statement of Prophet Nehemiah in the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem, it is Almighty God who will prosper us and make us succeed in this endeavour.”
As a sign of support for the coalition tasked to raise the funds for the construction of the national cathedral, President Akufo-Addo made a personal contribution of GH?100,000 towards the construction.
On his part, Chairman of the Fundraising Committee and Presiding Archbishop of the Christian Action Faith Ministries (Action Chapel), Archbishop Nicholas Duncan Williams, indicated that he had an opportunity to interact with the president at a personal level in order to settle in his heart the rationale to build the national cathedral.
He added that he left the meeting with the conviction that the plan of the president to build a national cathedral is divine and a personal God-given mission of President Akufo-Addo’s.
Archbishop Duncan Williams maintained that the promise of the president to build a national cathedral to honour God ahead of election 2016 was the key that unlocked his election victory and brought him to office.
The Cathedral
The National Cathedral of Ghana is a planned interdenominational Christian building to be built in Accra, the nation’s capital, as part of Ghana’s 60th anniversary celebrations. The design for the cathedral was unveiled by President Akufo-Addo in March 2018.
The cathedral will have an auditorium capable of seating 5,000 expandable to 15,000, as well as the requisite chapels and a baptistery. The site will also house a music school, an art gallery, and a museum dedicated to the Bible.
The design of the cathedral reflects the art and culture of Ghanaian ethic groups; the high pitched and staggered roof is reminiscent of Akanian architecture and the facade will be concave and decorated with timber in imitation of Ashanti royal stools. The architect for the project is the renowned British-Ghanaian, David Adjaye, designer of the Museum of African American Culture in Washington DC.
By Charles Takyi-Boadu, Presidential Correspondent