The National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, made a donation of GHC50,000 to the National Cathedral project today (Thursday 26 August 2021).
He made the donation when the board of trustees for the National Cathedral project paid a courtesy call on him at his office.
The board of trustees of the National Cathedral Secretariat has rolled out the “Ketewa Biara Nsua” initiative to raise half of the US$200 million needed to build the edifice. Ghanaians are being encouraged to make donations of GHC100 towards the project.
Vice-president’s call
The vice-president, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has also urged Ghanaians of all religious persuasions to contribute voluntarily to the building of the National Cathedral.
The plans for a national cathedral continue to generate lively debate. Although the government insists the project will be funded by the private sector and serve as a multipurpose place of national gathering, critics have raised concerns about the cathedral’s usefulness and cost.
Speaking at the Adabraka Official Town branch of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana on Sunday (22 August), Dr Bawumia stressed the cathedral’s importance and urged all Ghanaians to help build it, “for Ghana and for the glory of God”.
“As you all know, there are efforts to build a national cathedral. It is very important that we build the cathedral. It is a voluntary exercise; anybody who wants to contribute can contribute. I have contributed, and I will contribute some more.
“So I encourage everybody to think about it, and let’s build it. It is not for anybody. It is for Ghana and for the glory of God,” he said.
A voluntary, national contribution towards building the cathedral would cement Ghana’s standing as a religiously diverse country living at peace with itself.
“Ghana is Africa’s second most peaceful country, with adherents of many religions living and working together to build the nation. The construction of the cathedral would add further to our enviable record of peaceful coexistence,” the vice-president said.
Music, faith, art, history
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, accompanied by senior members of the clergy, laid the foundation stone for the National Cathedral on 5 March 2020. The National Cathedral Secretariat has since been set up to raise funds from individuals and the private sector to realise the project, while work continues apace.
The cathedral will house a series of impressive chapels, a baptistery, a 5,000-seater, two-level auditorium, a grand central hall, music school, choir rehearsal room, art gallery, shop and multi-use spaces. It will also be home to Africa’s first Bible Museum and Documentation Centre, dedicated to Christianity and nation-building in Ghana.
A new ceremonial route and landscaping will link the cathedral site to the prominent, celebratory national landmarks of Black Star Square, Osu Cemetery, State House and Africa Unity Circle.
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