Ghana’s 67th Independence Day celebrations held in the Eastern Region have raised mixed reactions from some Ghanaians in relation to the state of the country.
On Dadi FM’s “Efa wo ho” morning show with Fantehemaa, Prophet Nicholas Osei, popularly known as Kumchacha, founder of Heaven’s Gate Ministry, spoke to the status of the National Cathedral.
In reference to a social media post showing Members of Parliament of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) commissioning the uncompleted national cathedral, Prophet Kumchacha said his stance from the beginning of the project has been that, the project would be unsuccessful if the hand of God is not in it.
He linked the project to a Bible story where confusion was put in the midst of the people of Babylon, who attempted building a tower as high as the heavens.
He said it is unlikely any new government would complete the project after the tenure of His Excellency Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo comes to an end.
He said money had gone to waste, and that in trying to fulfill his promise to God which the President made while in opposition, the President could have personally built a befitting church in his hometown or in Takoradi.
“It is a sin to promise God and not fulfill. God’s anger may come upon you, don’t promise without preparation”, he stressed.
Mr. Frank Nkansah, a policy analyst and social commentator, described the current situation of the National Cathedral as similar to that of King David, whom God did not allow to build a temple for him, because his hands had been stained with blood.
He encouraged the President and board members to render accounts to the public on the expenses made so far, to redeem their image. He made reference to some board members, describing Board Chairman, Prof. Opoku Onyinah as a man of honour who is not likely to squander state funds, but perhaps has been silenced.
He, however, also urged members of the NDC to not rejoice in the inability of the government to so far complete the project.
“The National Cathedral should have been built in the outskirts of Accra to ease traffic and promote development”, he added.
Mr. Nkansah stated that Ghana is running a cut-and-paste economy with resources meant for particular projects, channeled into other sectors, an action which has led to the current hardships being experienced by citizens.
According to him, though independence celebrations are beneficial, they do not need to follow the status quo of march-past and related activities. He added by saying, new leaders should come up with more innovative ways of celebrating our independence as a country, with more focus on developmental projects.
Mr. Nkansah, in speaking to the President’s silence on the anti-LGBTQ+ bill during his speech at the Independence Day celebrations, said the silence may create perceptions in the minds of people.
e indicated that he is unhappy with the country being forced to succumb to negative directives of the Western world in exchange for money but was quick to add that the situation is a lesson teaching to Ghana as to how to use our resources properly as a country, to avoid being controlled by outsiders. He encouraged the President to make a clear stance on the matter.
Members of the NDC boycotted the Independence Day celebrations, to commission the incomplete National Cathedral Project, demanding full accountability for the over 58 million Ghana Cedis that has so far been invested into it.
The immediate past Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, on 29th July 2021, stated that the National Cathedral would be officially commissioned on 6th March 2024.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Thelma Okaebea Obeng & Tracy Adjeley Sackey
