National Cathedral: 'God will question your sense of judgment, priority' – Gyampo to government

The Head of European Studies at the University of Ghana, Professor Ransford Gyampo, has said God will question the Akufo-Addo government’s sense of priority and judgment in deciding to put up a National Cathedral – a project he sees as a non-priority.

In a short video of himself touring a project outside the country, Prof Gyampo said: “You’re in Ghana building a National Cathedral when people are spending time thinking about doing this [the project site he toured]. We’re raising money to construct a National Cathedral. God Himself will question your judgement and your sense of priority”, he said.

Also, in an open letter to the president on the same subject, Prof Gyampo advised Mr Akufo-Addo to shelve the project until the basic needs of citizens are provided by the government.

“Your Excellency, the ubiquity of cathedrals in Ghana and the numerous places of worship, including forests, mountains, independence square, mega churches, dominion houses etc., with respect, reduces your good intentions to facilitate the construction of another national cathedral in the face of unresolved pressing bread and butter issues, to a mere religious luxury and canal political legacy,” he stated.

In his opinion, God does not dwell in cathedrals and God will question the sense of judgment of Ghanaians by neglecting the needs of the country and prioritizing a cathedral.

In his opinion, most of the members on the committee set up to oversee the building of the cathedral, prioritized their personal needs and those of their families before setting out to establish their own churches.

Prof Gyampo, therefore, advised President Akufo-Addo to learn from that model and desist from embarking on the project amidst the plight of ordinary Ghanaians.

“Sir, inasmuch as this may be a monumental legacy that would outlive you, you are very much aware that our God does not dwell in cathedrals. Unfortunately, not all the big men of God who first built their own mansions, bought their flashy vehicles, sent their children to schools abroad etc., before constructing cathedrals for worship, are bold enough to tell you this.

“Indeed, Sir, some of the people on the Committee to facilitate the construction of the national cathedral, are reputable men of God who first made life comfortable for themselves and their families, before they thought about building churches or cathedrals for God."

"Knowing that God doesn’t live in cathedrals, they simply prioritized and made do with church services under trees and in school buildings until they were a bit comfortable with life. Before they built their cathedrals, they had cars, mansions and their children were well sorted out in terms of education. Why can’t we extend this same principle to the nation?” He questioned.