National Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Henry Nana Boakye, has explained the reasons behind the delay of the National Cathedral project, highlighting key factors that influenced its suspension.
The National Cathedral, a highly anticipated project that has sparked mixed reactions from the public, is currently on hold.
In an interview with Fiifi Pratt on Kingdom FM, monitored by MyNewsGh.com, Nana Boakye attributed the postponement to the effects of two significant global challenges: the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
“The suspension of the National Cathedral project is largely due to unforeseen global challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic affected economies worldwide, including Ghana’s,” Nana Boakye explained during the interview.
“The pandemic required a significant reallocation of resources. Financial resources that were originally set aside for the Cathedral were redirected to stabilise the economy and offer relief to Ghanaians in the midst of a crisis.”
He elaborated on the immediate measures taken by the government to alleviate the hardships faced by Ghanaians, such as the provision of free electricity and water.
“President Nana Akufo-Addo’s administration took decisive steps to support the people of Ghana during this difficult period,” Nana Boakye said.
“Free electricity and water were provided to citizens to ease the burden of the pandemic.
“These were essential steps to keep the country moving forward, and as a result, the resources for the Cathedral had to be paused.”
The suspension of the National Cathedral project has sparked public debate, as many Ghanaians had embraced the vision of a monumental structure reflecting the nation’s Christian heritage.
Addressing the concerns, Henry Nana Boakye defended the government’s decision, emphasizing that safeguarding the well-being of citizens during critical times took precedence over infrastructure development.
“The government had to prioritize stabilizing the economy over pursuing large-scale projects. The focus was on ensuring Ghanaians could weather the pandemic without undue hardship,” Nana Boakye explained.
He acknowledged the significance of the National Cathedral but stressed that the government’s primary goal during the crisis was to save lives and deliver essential services.
Initially envisioned as a landmark for religious activities and a hub for tourism, the National Cathedral project has faced delays due to pressing national challenges. Despite this, Nana Boakye assured Ghanaians that the project remains on the agenda and will be revisited once the country’s economic conditions improve.
“The National Cathedral is not abandoned. It’s simply on hold until the economic situation stabilizes,” he affirmed.
“Once we have successfully navigated through these global challenges, we will refocus our efforts on completing this important national monument.”