The Minority in Parliament has reaffirmed its position that the National Cathedral is a necessary national project that should be completed.
Speaking at an engagement with the Christian Council, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin said the facility should not be viewed solely as a place of worship, arguing that it could also boost tourism, enhance Ghana’s image and serve as a unifying space for the country.
“This National Cathedral, we need it as a nation. It shouldn’t be too simplistic that cathedral is just for prayer. It is also for tourism,” he said.
Mr Afenyo-Markin cited an old mosque in Türkiye which, according to him, attracts about 4,000 visitors daily because of its historical and architectural significance.
He said the completed National Cathedral could serve the entire country and become a major tourism attraction while providing a rallying point for Ghanaians.
“So if we have the cathedral, it’s not only for the Christian community, it is for the entire nation. It is tourism potential, it is image and the image of the country, it becomes a rallying point for us as a country,” he said.
Mr Afenyo-Markin also criticised the government’s handling of the project, accusing it of sending conflicting signals about the future use of the site.
“The government is showing inconsistency. It says one thing today, it says another tomorrow. We don’t know what they want to use the site for. There’s no clarity as to what they want to use the site for,” he said.
He called for broader discussions among stakeholders to determine the way forward for the National Cathedral.
