Some Members of Parliament (MPs) and officials of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) found themselves in a confrontation with personnel from the Ghana Armed Forces while en route to the National Cathedral site.
This comes on the back of earlier announcement by government that the project will be commissioned today, March 6, 2024.
While delivering the 2021 mid-year budget review in Parliament on Thursday, July 29, 2021, the then-Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta said the $100-million inter-denominational cathedral will be completed before the commissioning date.
However, a heavy security presence surrounded the cathedral, leading to the clash with the MPs right in front of the new Electoral Commission head office.
Both the Ghana Police Service and Military mounted barricades, restricting access to the entrance of the National Cathedral site.
In the midst of this standoff, the MP for the North Tongu constituency, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, took a satirical stance by commissioning the uncompleted National Cathedral project as a symbolic gesture aimed at highlighting the government’s perceived failure to finish the project.
Background
In 2021, the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta announced that the government will commission the ongoing National Cathedral project on Wednesday, March 6, 2024.
The Minister said the date on which Ghana marks its 67th Independence Day will be used to commission the interdenominational sacred space for the nation officially.
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.
Credit: Prince Adu-Owusu