The founder of Action Chapel International, Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams has told his congregation that he found it amazing that some Christians are the most vocal opposition to the building of a National Cathedral, an initiative being pursued by the Akufo-Addo led administration.
In the sermon, he revealed that he’s passionate about the building of the National Cathedral. His passion stems from what he sees as the relevance of the project to our national development.
Contrary to what those opposed to the building of the Cathedral argue, the top Christian leader believes the project is a selfless commitment by the president to leave a legacy to humanity.
“Somebody was asking me the other day ‘Why are you so passionate about this National Cathedral?’ And I looked at them, and it was a believer asking me. And I said to them ‘I’ve been here for a while, never have I seen any president say ‘We came into office and I want to build a National Cathedral to the name of the Lord’. And hear me; at least, it is one thing he [the president] cannot will to his kids or his immediate family. At least, it’s something somebody is determined to do for the benefit of the name of the Lord and for the benefit of others and humanity, and not for himself.”
He further revealed that the museum component of the project is so it will serve as tourist attraction to generate revenue for the country.
“…a National Cathedral that will be first of its kind where there will be a Bible Museum with different characters in the Bible… Where… people will travel from far and near to pay and come and look”
The Project
The new building designed by Ghanaian-British architect, David Adjaye, will stretch alongside the Osu Cemetery and takeover land holding the Ridge roundabout, the Scholarship Secretariat, the Judicial Training Institute, the Passport Office and the residences of nine judges.
Government is in talks to relocate those who will be affected by the siting of the project.
Controversy
The bone of contention has been the siting of the cathedral and potential demolitions.
Initially, opposition to the project was based on financing when it was suspected that government was going to facilitate the project with many calling on government not to use tax-payers money to build a religious monument. The funding argument was dropped when government revealed that the project was going to be financed by the Christian community.
Later, there were reports that some of the judges to be relocated because of the project were complaining about the manner in which they were told to vacate their homes. According to Joy News, the judges were given an oral notice to vacate their premises in exchange for money. However, former Lands and Natural Resources Minister, John Peter Amewu, refuted those claims and said they were very strategic about where they planned to build.
