I will support completion of National Cathedral if Mahama backs it – Mahama Ayariga

Minister-designate for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga, has expressed willingness to support efforts to continue and complete the National Cathedral project if approved by Parliament.

He said he would engage the leadership of the Christian community to determine whether they remained committed to the project.

The Bawku Central MP added that if the Christian community remained committed and President John Dramani Mahama supported its continuation, he would personally back efforts to mobilise support for its completion.

Appearing before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Thursday, August 27, Mr Ayariga said he had no objection to the idea of a national cathedral because of Ghana’s deeply religious character.

“If they remain committed to the construction of a national cathedral, I will engage the president, and if it is the wish of the president, I will wholeheartedly support and mobilize for the project to be continued, and God willing, completed," he said.

Mr Ayariga, however, noted the difference between the idea of a national cathedral and the manner in which the project initiated under former President Nana Akufo-Addo was executed.

He described the concept as worthwhile but said he had concerns about the location selected for the facility and the approach to financing its construction.

“I think it was a good idea that was badly executed," he noted.

He said the location could increase traffic congestion in the area and argued that alternative land, including available areas along the coast, could have been considered.