By Edward Dankwah
Accra, Sept. 11, GNA – The Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, under the leadership of Mr Mahama Ayariga, has engaged the Christian Council of Ghana on the future directions of the National Cathedral project.
The engagement formed part of efforts by the Minister to consult Christian leadership on the long-standing project and explore a way forward acceptable to all stakeholders.
Rev. Enoch Nii Narh Thompson, Chairman of the Christian Council of Ghana, said the meeting followed earlier discussions with the Minister after he expressed his views on the National Cathedral project during his vetting by Parliament’s Appointments Committee.
He said Mr Ayariga had subsequently engaged the Christian leadership to better understand their views and discuss how the various stakeholders could collectively chart the way forward for the project.
The Chairman of the Council said the discussions focused on determining the future direction of the National Cathedral, with two major decisions emerging from the engagement.
He said the Christian leadership had agreed that the government should expedite the forensic audit of the project and share its findings with the Christian community.
He explained that President John Dramani Mahama had earlier indicated that a forensic audit had been instituted and that its outcome would inform the government’s decision on the future of the project.
“The Christian leadership considers it important for the audit to be completed, and its findings made available so that we can study them and contribute meaningfully to the national discussion,” he added.
Rev. Thompson said the meeting also agreed to establish a technical committee comprising representatives of the various councils representing Christian groupings.
He said the committee would, within a month, examine the practical dimensions of the project, particularly issues relating to funding, location, and other matters relevant to its future.
Rev. Thompson said the committee would subsequently present its recommendations to the Minister for consideration and onward submission to the President to inform the necessary decisions.
He expressed optimism that the Minister’s engagement with the Christian leadership would help advance discussions on the project and bring an end to an issue that had lingered for a while now.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Odeng Adade