Presiding Apostle and General Overseer of Freedom Chapel International Ministry, Francis Amoako-Attah, has called upon Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to ensure the completion of the controversial National Cathedral project. The Apostle suggested that Dr. Bawumia might be destined to fulfill this project, which has been stalled for years and has generated significant controversy.
During a meeting between the clergy and the Vice President as part of his Greater Accra Region tour on Tuesday, June 4, Apostle Amoako-Attah stated, “Your Excellency, maybe prophetically, the reason why that hole is still there is because God wants you to fulfill it.”
He added, “It’s going to be so prophetic that once upon a time, a temple was built and the president who dedicated a temple for the Christians was a Muslim.”
The Freedom Chapel International Ministry Apostle encouraged the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer to do “everything within your power, together with the team, to bring the church and the government together,” and if possible, hand the project over to a private entity for management.
“Give it to a private man, let them build it, let them collect the money. … It’s going to be an indictment for Christianity and for this government to leave this bigger hole as it is forever,” Apostle Amoako-Attah urged.
He also expressed his satisfaction with finding someone who is bringing the church into governance, stating, “I’m so happy now that we have found somebody who is bringing the church into governance.”
Bawumia Calls for Collaboration to Complete National Cathedral Project
In response, the Vice President called on the clergy to work together with the government to find a way forward in completing the project. He emphasized the importance of the church uniting and engaging with the government to explore ways to secure private resources for the project’s completion.
“The question on the National Cathedral is a very important question. I have contributed to its construction personally. I believe it is a very important thing for Ghana,” Dr. Bawumia said.
He added, “The church has to come together and meet the government so that we talk about the way forward. The church must come together and let the government know the best way forward on how we can get private resources to help us complete the National Cathedral.”
Dr. Bawumia expressed optimism that a collective effort can find a solution, saying, “If we all come together, we will figure it out because we cannot leave it where it is.”
Background on the National Cathedral Project
The building of the Cathedral is in fulfillment of a pledge President Akufo-Addo claimed to have made to God before winning the 2016 elections. The 5,000-seater auditorium Cathedral project aims to bequeath to the country a gracious national park for all Ghanaians, bring new skills, technology, and jobs, and act as a beacon to national, regional, and international tourists.
Despite plans to commission the project on March 6, 2024, work on the Cathedral has stalled, with millions of dollars already spent on it. The project has been embroiled in controversy, with the National Cathedral Secretariat accused of misapplying funds and a board member, Rev. Kusi Boateng, facing allegations of conflict of interest and other alleged criminal dealings.
