The minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs Ahmed Ibrahim has boldly stated if he had his own money he would build the National Cathedral for the state.
According to the minister, the National Cathedral was demonised to the point that even if there is anything proper in it, you can’t say it.
Ahmed Ibrahim asserted that he was willing to fund the National Cathedral by himself if he had the resources.
Speaking on Adom TV on April 2, 2025, Ahmed Ibrahim stated, “The National Cathedral was demonised to a point that even if there is anything proper in it, you can’t say it and the starting was also problematic, certain things outrun others.
“Right from the start of the project, it was problematic. So, it is something that if you are talking about and you don’t take care, you create problems for yourself. So, let’s wait for the audit findings and the engagements with board members then we will see the way forward,” the minister said on”.
He added, “… in my personal view if I had my own money, I would build the National Cathedral for the state. Let me tell you, me sitting here I am a Christian and an elder it is something I am part of doing, Roman I gave them 3000 blocks this is what I used my money for, Roman 3000 blocks to build your mission house, Assemblies 3000 blocks, Pentecost 4000 blocks, Apostolic 3000 blocks almost all the churches.
I bought a private car for the Methodist Church and a private car Highlander for the Pentecost when I became a minister my first nine-month salary was three months given to Pentecost, three months for the Muslims and three months for the traditionalist council. These is things I do, so do you think me sitting here if I had money I would not be able to build a Cathedral for the country?”, he disclosed.
The National Cathedral project was initiated by the former Akufo-Addo government in 2017 but was mired in controversy due to its high cost, the source of funding, and allegations of embezzlement of funds by its Board of Trustees.
Nana Obiri Boahen a former Deputy General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has also admitted the National Cathedral was a waste of money.
According to Nana Obiri Boahen, former President Akufo-Addo got his priorities during his tenure wrong.
Nana Obiri Boahen asserted that Akufo-Addo wasted state funds for a cathedral while our railway sector was in a poor state.
Speaking in an interview on Neat FM on March 5, 2025, Nana Obiri Boahen stated, “How can you use state funds for a cathedral while our railway sector was in a poor state? The money he invested in the cathedral could have been used to revive the railway sector. There was no need for such a project”.
Obiri Boahen further revealed that criticisms were directed at him for opposing the National Cathedral project.
“I spoke against it, and they criticized me. But why would you use such funds on a wasteful project?” he quizzed.
Additionally, President John Dramani Mahama has questioned the $400m quoted by the former New Patriotic Party (NPP) government as the amount of money needed for the completion of the National Cathedral.
According to John Mahama, Nigeria built its National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja, which serves all Christian denominations in Nigeria at $30 million.
He asserted that Ghana can also complete the National Cathedral at a much more reasonable figure.
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