National Cathedral construction to begin in April – Secretariat

Construction of the National Cathedral is expected to begin in the first week of April 2020 following a groundbreaking ceremony held in Accra today, Thursday, March 5, 2020.The one month period is to allow for the completion of the groundwork preparations.

According to the National Cathedral Secretariat, the Marlian Embassy and the Passport Office will be demolished within the same period to pave way for the construction to begin.

In an interview, the CEO of the Secretariat, Dr. Paul Opoku-Mensah stated that a plan will be announced by the end of the month detailing strategies to raise funds for the construction.

“We are still left with two buildings that need to go [down] by the 1st of April [2020]. Then we can say construction has started. We are in that process of negotiating the final details of the contract. So we are in the stage where we are finalising discussions for the contractor.

We’ve been confident and almost encouraged by the donations coming in. But I’ve always said that today really will mark the beginning of the major donations,” he said.

Government has been criticised for championing the National Cathedral project.But President Nana Akufo-Addo who initiated the project maintains that construction of the National Cathedral is pivotal to the development of Ghana.

Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams, on the other hand, advised against the political colourization of the project.According to him, the Cathedral will be beneficial to future generations.

He said: “This project which is something to do with God and country, posterity and generations yet on board, let it not be subjected to the reasons of men to debate [and politicise it]. Let it not be subjected to controversies. But let us for once go beyond debate”