Accra: The Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, under the leadership of Mr. Mahama Ayariga, has engaged the Christian Council of Ghana to discuss the future directions of the National Cathedral project. This meeting is part of the Minister's efforts to seek input from Christian leaders to find a mutually agreeable path forward for the long-standing project.
According to Ghana News Agency, the Chairman of the Christian Council of Ghana, Rev. Enoch Nii Narh Thompson, stated that the meeting followed earlier talks with Mr. Ayariga. These discussions were prompted by the Minister's remarks on the National Cathedral project during his vetting by Parliament's Appointments Committee. Mr. Ayariga has since reached out to Christian leadership to gather their perspectives and collaborate on charting a future course for the project.
The discussions primarily centered on the future direction of the National Cathedral, with two significant decisions arising from the engagement. The Christian leadership agreed on the necessity for the government to expedite a forensic audit of the project and to share its findings with the Christian community. Rev. Thompson noted that President John Dramani Mahama had previously indicated that a forensic audit was underway and that its results would guide the government's decisions regarding the project.
'The Christian leadership considers it important for the audit to be completed, and its findings made available so that we can study them and contribute meaningfully to the national discussion,' Rev. Thompson added. The meeting also resolved to form a technical committee with representatives from various Christian councils. This committee is tasked with examining practical aspects of the project, such as funding and location, and will present its recommendations to the Minister within a month. These recommendations will then be submitted to the President to aid in making informed decisions.
Rev. Thompson expressed optimism that the Minister's engagement with Christian leaders would propel discussions on the project forward and help resolve an issue that has persisted for some time.