Naagyei 90.3 Fm Agyapa
An Ejura Sekyedumase based Islamic Cleric, Mallam Musah Sali has advised the Akufo Addo government against being intransigent and rushing to support the building of the controversial national cathedral with state funds.
Finance Minister Ken Ofori Atta during the presentation of the 2019 Budget revealed that government will provide the seed money for the construction of the National Cathedral.
Government had earlier insisted that it was only facilitating and providing land for the construction of the cathedral and will not channel funds to the projects.
Several civil society organizations, the Trade Union Congress and individuals have kicked against the construction of the National place of worship describing it as misplaced priority, after they suspected government was going to doll out money for the project.
Hon. Ken Ofori Atta clarified that the state is not using tax payers’ money to finance the project but will only offer seed money.
“…It will include among others, a grand central hall, a music school, and will house Africa’s first-ever Bible Museum and documentation centre, The National Cathedral project will also bequeath to the country a gracious national park for all Ghanaians; bring new skills, technology and jobs to the country; and will act as a beacon to national, regional and international tourists.Mr Speaker, the state is facilitating this process by providing the land, the Secretariat, and seed money for the preparatory phase”.
Speaking in London in October 2018, President Akufo-Addo described the cathedral project as priority among priorities.
But Mallam Musah Sali in an interview on Ejura Sekyedumase based Naagyei 90.3 FM told Morning show host Henry Lord that government meeting the three major religious groupings in the country, namely Christians, Muslims and Traditionalists to build consensus on the subject will ensure there’s peace and also get the necessary support from all sides for the project.
“If the government is not able to publicly declare any amount of money used in supporting Muslims to Hajj, then it will not be fair to support the building of a national cathedral for Christians with state funds. We have three major religions recognized by our national constitution and fair treatment must be given to all three religions. The President must call a meeting between all these three religions to explain why it is embarking on this course and also inform the other religions what plans it has for them so that there will be fairness and peace. If this is not done, any future President will also use state funds to support his or her religion which will not be fair to people of other faith in the country.”
Source: Naagyeifmonline.com
