Questions, opinions and grievances surrounding the building of the National Cathedral are compounding each day, as many are of the view that it is a misplaced priority. Some are also opining otherwise.
The question still holds, “is the National cathedral a misplaced priority or a Blessing?” Kindly read to the end.
What then is the National Cathedral?
The National Cathedral of Ghana is a planned interdenominational “Christian” cathedral scheduled to be built in Accra, the Nation’s capital.
The Design of this cathedral was unveiled by the President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo, in March 2018, during the 60th anniversary celebrations.
Why the National Cathedral?
The purpose is to have a historic project that provides a sacred space and infrastructure for the formal religious activities of the Nation, such as; state funerals and Presidential inaugural services.
It shall be “the House of the Lord” where Ghanaians of all denominations gather to worship, reflect, celebrate and mourn. That is making it the Spiritual Home of the Nation.
Is the National Cathedral Worth Building?
I won’t doubt if you have a different believe, but the last time I checked, the God of the Christians’ does not dwell in Houses and Temples Built by Mortal Men again!
“However, the Most High does not live in houses made by human hands. As the prophet says: Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me? Says the Lord. Have not my hands made all these things? Acts 7:48-50 NIV.
If the “Christian God” does not dwell in houses made by human hands, why are we eager as a Nation investing in building a House for Him? Or we are building this cathedral for a different “god”. If not so, don’t we have a place for our state functions?
Don’t we have a place for State Functions?
Another motivation for this whole agendum is to have a place for the Nation where state activities will be performed.
The last time I checked, we have the Independence Square, also known as the Black Star Square in Accra which is bordered by the Accra Sports Stadium and the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park.
This site can seat over 30,000 people. Let’s not forget it is the site for all civic and military parades in the Nation. What will we do with this place after commissioning the Cathedral?
Some Major Events Held at the Independence Square
On March 24, 1998, over 500,000 people gathered at this square to welcome former U.S. President, Bill Clinton and his wife, Hillary Clinton. Again, On August 10, 2012, the state funeral of late President John Atta Mills was held at this same place.
On November 18, 2012, the state funeral of the late former Vice-President Aliu Mahama was held at this square.
Similarly, on January 27, 2021, the state funeral of late former President, Jerry John Rawlings also took place at this square.
The National Cathedral is not a priority.
Doesn’t this mean we already have a place to carry out our activities as a Nation? The answer is an award-winning YES! If the purpose for building this cathedral is to get a house for “God” or a place to perform state functions, then, we are getting it wrong as a Nation!
The Building of the National Cathedral shouldn’t even be part of our priorities as a Nation, for its to even be called as a misplaced priority by many! I strongly believe it is a waste of public fund or there is a hidden motive which must be made known to the public.
Building a Cathedral for God doesn’t make us righteous.
I am a strong believer, but I don’t just wake up and start believing things because it was said by a mogul in the faith! I first meditate and listen to divinity!
Truth be told, building a cathedral for God won’t make us a Nation loved by God, or the righteous Nation in the world. It will rather compound our problems as the other Religious Bodies might also rise demanding one!
Are we not having millions of ‘churches(places of worship) ‘ in Ghana already? Has that increased our productivity or solved our unemployment issues?
The Bible clearly tells us; Pure Religion is not to build Cathedrals for God! It is the one that visits the orphans and widows in their afflictions.
“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this, to visit orphans and windows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world” James 1: 27 NIV
If truly we are people that have God at heart, we will seek for the betterment and wellbeing of the less privileged and the majority in deprived areas seriously lacking basic Social amenities.
What was the purpose of Solomon Building the Temple?
Some Christians are of the view that Solomon built the temple for God and his reign was successful and peaceful. Was that so? Let’s look at a few reasons why Solomon built the temple and have some juxtapositions.
To start, the temple was built to house the Ark of God. I want to ask, where is the ark of the Lord that will be housed in the cathedral? Do not forget the ark of God symbolizes the presence of God, and today, His Presence which is the Holy Spirit cannot be housed because it is given to everyone. Unless you tell me you don’t believe in the New testament.
Secondly, according to the Bible, the Temple served not only as a religious building for worship, but also a place of assembly for the Israelites.
I want to ask; when COVID-19 came, wasn’t the government able to communicate and update the entire Nation? So do we need the National Cathedral for National gatherings? Aside, we even have a place already, Independence Square!
Again, Solomon built the temple to honour God. In this dispensation, we don’t honour God by building Temples but by living righteous lives in our bodies, because our bodies are His temple!
“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you are bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies. 1 Corinthians 6 :19-20. NIV”
What must we do with The Cathedral Fund?
The Cathedral Fund should be used to solve our National problems such as the recent flooding issues. What is the benefit of a Cathedral if the people to worship in it are in pain and lack? Will “God’ be happy?
How good is our free SHS? Don’t forget most students attending free SHS are either orphans or being catered for by a single parent! How healthy are our Health sectors and the operations of the NHIS? These are some of the things we must focus on as a Nation!
A part of my opinion, i believe is good to have a national cathedral because looking at Rome, they have such a huge cathedral wherr all denomination gather and for some christian festive. Even President(US) also go there. In Ghana, this cathedral can influence a greater progress in Ghana but it believe it not yet time for this(Cathedral). The country is in bad shape because everything is going high.
I believe we seek our daily means first before other things. With me, i say, the national cathedral is not bad but its just at the wrong time for doing it.
Perfectly a misplaced priority
No one in Ghana will benefit from this building. How come this becomes a nation’s priority? Eeeeeiiiiii then the nation lacks able men to plan for it future. No future for this nation.
The current government has sunk Ghana and Ghanaians to the DEEPEST PART IN THE INDIAN OCEAN.
See bad roads,dead trap structures and poor educational system, yet the government has turned blind eyes on all these which solicit humanity in life. .
This government is a shame to the entire generation.
All it wants foreign applause and awards and its selfish interest.
#most_corrupted_government_on_my_motherland_Ghana🇬🇭🇬🇭
Very Pathetic