info@businessghana.com
The government will soon launch an investigation into the National Cathedral project.
This will be a follow-up to the recommendation by the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) for the government to audit the project and investigate any misuse of public funds.
“Government is enjoined to follow this directive and will soon activate investigation into the project,” he said.
He announced this on Sunday [Jan 12] at the National Prayer and Thanksgiving Service at the Ohene Konadu Auditorium of the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA).
The event attracted an array of attendees, including the Vice-President, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, the Chief of Staff Julius Debrah, the First Lady, Lordina Mahama, a large representation of the clergy, mostly from the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Churches (GPCC), the Christian Council of Ghana and other ecumenical bodies; Members of Parliament, special guests, chiefs and queenmothers, and a section of the public.
Also present were party faithful of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), including its National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, the General Secretary, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, and other key executive members.
A tall list of prominent Christian religious leaders in the country converged on the auditorium where they preached and prayed for the President and the new government.
They included the Founder of Action Chapel International, Archbishop Nicolas Duncan Williams; the Founder of Perez Chapel International, Bishop Charles Agyinasare, the General Superintendent of Assemblies of God, Ghana, Rev. Dr Stephen Wengam, the Apostle General, the Founder of the Royalhouse Chapel International, Rev. Sam Korankye Ankrah, and the founder and leader of Glorious Word Power Ministry International, Rev. Isaac Owusu Bempah.
Archbishop Duncan Williams led the other pastors to pray for the President, his vice and their families.
Speaking about the future of the project, the President said: “I believe that all of us as Christians must forge a consensus on how to achieve such a project without recourse to public funds.
He said the project must be achieved at a reasonable cost, given Ghana’s current circumstances, stressing that “it makes no sense to achieve such a project at a whopping sum of $400 million.”
President Mahama said information available to him was that the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja, which was used by all Christian faiths in Nigeria, was built at a cost of $30 million.
“I believe that we can reach a more reasonable figure for achieving such a project, and together we can raise the funding for it. Such a reconsideration of this project would even include changing the current site that was chosen for the project,” he said.
President Mahama's announcement comes amid his criticism of the allocation of funds to the project, highlighting the need to prioritise education and other development projects.
The National Cathedral project has been marred by controversy, with concerns over its funding and prioritisation.
Initially, it was presented as a personal vow by former President Nana Akufo-Addo to God, with the assurance that it would be privately funded.
However, over $58 million of public funds have already been spent, with an estimated additional $450 million required for its completion.
Addressing the Christian gathering amid cheers, President Mahama quoted various passages from the Bible, including Proverbs 29: 2 which states: “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice” and emphasised the importance of unity and gratitude.
He expressed thanks for three key blessings: the safety of the campaign season, the electoral victory, and the prayers and fasting of the Christian community.
As President for all Ghanaians, regardless of political or religious affiliation, President Mahama stressed the need to put aside differences and work towards the betterment of the country.
He acknowledged that the youth deserved better opportunities and pledged to provide them with the necessary tools.
President Mahama outlined key priorities, including ensuring health for all, taking inventory of uncompleted projects, and uncapping the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) funds in the next budget.
“This is important so that the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) can have sufficient funds to reimburse health services providers for the care that they provide to the public,” he said.
The President also announced plans for a national stakeholders' dialogue on education to achieve quality education.
“Education will be another cornerstone of our reset, with a focus on improving infrastructure, providing resources for teachers and expanding access to technology for students.
“As indicated in our 120-day plan, we will convene a national education review conference to dialogue on the challenges,” President Mahama assured the gathering.
In addressing food shortages in senior high schools, President Mahama instructed the Chief of Staff to distribute food from warehouses in Tema to the schools.
He urged citizens to work together to overcome challenges and build a better future for generations to come.
President Mahama, therefore, expressed his commitment to lead a transparent and accountable government as well as focus on justice and fairness.
On the fight against corruption, President Mahama said, “We will strengthen the fight against corruption relentlessly, knowing that it undermines the very fabric of our society.”
In this respect, he reiterated that his appointees would be held to the highest ethical and professional standards.
“We will govern with the understanding that we are stewards of the resources and trust that they are bestowed upon us by the sovereign people of Ghana,” President Mahama stressed.
In a sermon that touched on hope, faith and responsibility, Rev. Wengam said President Mahama would be used by God to transform the nation and its citizens.
“God will use you to change the welfare of Ghanaians,” he declared, addressing the President with conviction.
“And when that happens, let us not forget to give all the praise and glory to God, he added.
Rev. Wengam emphasised that just as God used great leaders in the Bible to guide their people to prosperity, He would use President Mahama to steer Ghana towards progress and renewal.
“God is moving this country forward through our newly elected President,” Rev. Wengam said to applause from the congregation.
The Vice-President said it was both a moment of joy and sober reflections, saying so much had happened before and after the campaign but the Lord had not abandoned them.
“Mine is a message of thanksgiving, my wish on the campaign was that ‘If it is your wish Lord, take us there and bring us back safely and God did just that.”
"All that we need to do now is to step forward and behave like people of God," Prof. Opoku-Agyemang stated.
With a call for unity and righteousness, the Vice-President urged the nation to allow God's will to guide every action, emphasising that God's love and generosity were meant for all people, not just a select few.
“We should allow God’s will to reflect in the way we do things that affect other people positively. God’s love is for all of us. How can such love and generosity be for just a few people?” she asked.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang also expressed gratitude to the people of Ghana, particularly those at the grassroots, for their unwavering support and sacrifices throughout the campaign.
Jointly emceed by Bishop Gideon Titi-Ofei, the General Overseer of the Pleasant Place Church, and Prophet Akwasi Agyemang Prempeh, the General Overseer of the Ultimate Charismatic Centre, the four-hour thanksgiving service started at about 3:30 p.m. with choral music and hymns ministered by the Harmonious Choral.
Adorned predominantly in all white, the participants, some of whom hoisted miniature national flags and colours, danced within their sitting areas and in front of the dais to the melodious tunes from various musicians and choirs, including Nacee, Joe Mettle, Uncle Ato, Jack Alolome, and the Cedar Mountain Choir.
