Members of Parliament (MPs) and officials of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) were involved in a confrontation with Ghana Armed Forces personnel while attempting to access the National Cathedral site.
This incident occurred following the government’s announcement that the project would be commissioned on March 6, 2024.
The National Cathedral, a $100-million inter-denominational project, was scheduled for completion before the commissioning date, as stated by then-Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta during the 2021 mid-year budget review in Parliament.
However, heavy security presence surrounded the cathedral, leading to the clash with MPs near the new Electoral Commission head office. Both the Ghana Police Service and the Military had set up barricades, restricting access to the cathedral site.
In response to the situation, the MP for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, symbolically “commissioned” the uncompleted National Cathedral project, highlighting what he perceived as the government’s failure to finish the project.
Minister Ofori-Atta reiterated in 2021 that the government would officially commission the ongoing National Cathedral project on Ghana’s 67th Independence Day, March 6, 2024, using the date as a significant occasion for the ceremony.
When delivering the Mid-year Budget Review, the Finance Minister said, “Work on the National Cathedral is progressing speedily.”
“Upon completion, the National Cathedral would provide a sacred space for formal religious activities of State and symbolise the enormous contribution of faith to Nation Building,” he added.