THE debate over the building of a National Cathedral does not appear to be dying anytime soon. And so far we have heard and listened to various arguments—some for and against.
TO the extent that a member of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Mr James Kwabena Bomfeh, aka Kabila, has filed a suit at the apex court of the land—Supreme Court—praying the court to restrain the central government from partaking in the building of the proposed national cathedral.
WELL in our estimation, this is the beauty of democracy—every citizen of this country of sound mind—being able to speak freely his/her mind on issues that affect us positively or negatively.
BUT for the location of the building, we do not see why people should be crying out loud over an issue that government’s involvement only has to do with providing the space.
THERE are some who have even quantified in a monetary sense the 14-acre land stretching from the Ridge Circle to the Scholarship Secretariat in Accra, on which the proposed national cathedral will sit on, arguing out that it is a cost that would be borne by the government.
FOR others, allowing the project to be built at that prime area would pave way for the pulling down of state facilities including residences occupied by judges.
OUR point, therefore, is if the location of the project is the problem why don’t we look elsewhere?
IN any case, this project as we have been made to understand, is going to be funded by some individuals within the Christian community. Government’s participation is only in the area of providing the space.
TODAY has heard some Pastors make the argument that when a similar courtesy was extended to our Moslem brothers and sisters for the building of a national mosque at Kawukudi in Accra, there was no hue and cry over it.
SO, why the fuss about the building of a national cathedral?
IT is against this backdrop that Today is asking for caution, particularly when the matter is assuming a certain religious dimension, with Some Christians juxtaposing the Kanda Mosque to the national cathedral.
CERTAINLY, there should be a way out in this matter that should not ignite passions.
AND for those making the case that building, a national cathedral is not a priority they should rethink. For this is something that could inure to the benefit of the state in the long-term like national edifices like the National Theatre, Accra International Conference Centre (AIC), Jubilee House which building generated loads of public outcry, but today are serving good purposes and beyond
WE at Today see nothing wrong in government providing space for the building of a national monument like a national cathedral.
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