Ace broadcaster and reigning GJA Journalist of the Year, Kwami Sefa Kayi has questioned the decision to construct a National Cathedral in Accra which will inevitably cause the demolishing of other state properties.
He would rather the yet-to-be-built cathedral, if it must be constructed, be relocated from Accra, so as not to further worsen vehicular traffic in the capital.
The National Cathedral will sit around a 14-acre garden and will have chapels, a baptistery, a music school, an art gallery, a Bible Museum and Documentation Centre - It is expected to seat 5,000 people in its main auditorium.
The construction of this monumental edifice will result in government properties housed on 14-acres of prime lands in Accra being pulled down.
The buildings include residential accommodation for Appeal court justices, private properties and state properties such as the Passport Office and the Scholarship Secretariat.
But the tumult created by Government's decision to pull down these structures and in their place erect a national cathedral doesn't appear to be abating anytime soon.
Earlier last week, the Coalition of Muslim Organisations, Ghana (COMOG) slammed government over the project saying it constitutes an interference in religious matters in a secular state like Ghana.
However, legal practitioner and member of the pressure group, OccupyGhana, Ace Ankomah, strongly believes Christians deserve a cathedral in Accra since they have contributed their quota to the country in terms of education and missions
Wading into the fray, the ace journalist and host of "Kokrokoo", Peace FM’s flagship show, Kwami Sefa Kayi, affectionately called ‘Chairman General’, said whiles the decision is ‘laudable’, its location must be reconsidered.
“The idea of having a National Cathedral is a laudable one but most importantly, we should reconsider its location. Have we thought about the traffic situation in the capital?” he quizzed
He opined that a second thought to build the cathedral outside Accra will be needful.
“Let’s look at areas like Madina, Adentan, Oyarifa considering the economic benefits it will serve them. Must we necessarily have to demolish certain structures in prime areas in order to construct a National Cathedral?” he rhetorically asked.
Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/Peacefmonline.com/ Twitter: @Washman5/ Instagram: Ambrose_wash
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who is paying for the cathedral?If the church is paying the she should look for land herself but not free government land.Religion has conquered us Africans.Our priorities are wrong.Go to the first world and look at all their edifices.They are being run down and turned into commerce.We need good health facilities and good education.The church can adopt school feeding program.
No one said any thing about the demolishing of the ad center to make way for the marine drive projects.
ABGESI,IF CARE TO KNOW, 1.GOVT DID NOT CONSTRUCT HAJJ VILLAGE IS A TEMPORARY STRUCTURE WITH TENTS THAT IS ALL AND IS THE COST OF THE HAJJ COMMITTEE. 2.AS U SAID GOVT FACILITATE BUT DONT PAY FOR PEOPLE GOING TO HAJJ IF NOT ALL MUSLIMS WILL GO.HAJJ IS THE LAST PILLAR OF ISLAM AND IS FOR THOSE WHO CAN AFFORD IT.SO IT IS NOT FOR FREE AS U MAY THINK.EVERYONE GOING TO HAJJ THIS YEAR PAID(GHC15,000)OR 3,500 USD .GOVT JUST FACILITATE .INFACT MUSLIMS DONT WANT GOVT TO INTERFERE IN RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES U CAN GO AN CHECK IT. LOOK AT ALL THE STATE BUILDING OVER THERE GOVT WILL HAVE FIND MONEY TO BUILD OR RENT PLACES FOR THEM IS IT NOT WASTING GOVT RESOURCES.U HAVE FREE EDUCATION WHICH NEEDS ALOT OF MONEY TO FINANCE AND U ARE BRINGING MORE EXPENSES.HE CAN BUILD IT BUT THE LOCATION
So what about demolishing of buildings that take place in prime areas like Cantonments, Ridge and Airport for the construction of high rise building and other facilities? Yabre mo!!!!!!
Bring the National Cathedral to Tema.
if it becomes necessary, the jubilee house(Flagstaff house) would even be demolished to make way for the Lord Mr. know all
i still don,t get it ebi cathedral we go chop
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. The idea of a cathedral is not bad. But the location must be reconsidered. In any case beneficiaries will still have to drive to visit there.
when the state constructs Hajj Villages at the Airport in Accra and Tamale, this was not termed religious interference by the state. if the state every year facilitates the movements of pilgrims to Mecca, this is not termed as the state interference in religious matters. When the state decides to facilitate the construction of National Cathedral then a certain COMOG vehemently will oppose the move. Forgetting the commence role of churches in national development. Be it education, Health, employment etc. COMOG I least expect such opposition from you. I believe such a decision was unilaterally.
Yes Kwami,these colonial buildings, which are expensive to maintained have to be demolished to make way for this eye conic building. You made mention of certain areas which can be fitted for this building, such a building has to be sited in prime area such as the area chosen to boost tourism attraction.. So please don't jump into by wagon to criticise and do reframe from being too much know it all.