The National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, has expressed reservations over the building of a national cathedral being given priority over vital infrastructure and educational requirements in Ghana.
Even God, Mahama said, would not put money into a cathedral over education. He expressed scepticism about the decision.
Before starting initiatives like the national cathedral, he emphasized the significance of tackling urgent infrastructure and educational issues.
Mahama answered questions regarding his position on finishing the national cathedral if elected president during a Wisconsin University public speech.
He stressed that rather than a divine command, President Akufo-Addo’s decision to build the cathedral was the result of a personal promise made to God.
If allocated $400 million, the former President contended, the nation would probably profit more from improving essential infrastructure like the single road connecting Accra and Cape Coast to a dual highway, or from investing in textbooks for pupils.
“The national cathedral represented, to me, a personal promise that someone had made with God. He stated he made a vow to God saying he would build a cathedral in his honor if he were elected president. I see him as promising to construct a house for God.
“I believe God wouldn’t have chosen a cathedral if he had asked him what to do with $400 million when it could have bought textbooks for every student in the school. God probably wouldn’t have asked you for a cathedral if the funds had been better used dualizing the Accra–Cape Coast route. Because it is a single road, people pass away on it every day.
God didn’t beg for it; it was a personal pledge made to God, and if I use my $400 million to build that cathedral, God will be upset with me. “I refuse to use public funds or obtain a $400 million loan from any source to construct this cathedral,” he said.
