President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Thursday morning broke the ground to officially commence the construction of the National Cathedral in Accra.
The construction according to the president is primarily in appreciation of God’s protection for the country.
The structure according to the project managers will have a replica of the Garden of Gethsemane and the Wailing Wall in Israel.
The architecture of the National Cathedral was designed by British-Ghanaian architect Sir David Adjaye, the founder and principal of Adjaye Associates.
Present at the ground breaking event included almost all the major Christian denominations represented by their hierarchy, and some ministers of state, namely Rev Prof Samuel Asante Antwi, Dr. Joyce Aryee, Alan Kyeremanten, Kofi Dzamesi, Cynthia Morrison, Ken Ofori Attah, Dr. Philip Addison, ambassadors and diplomats as well as some traditional chiefs from the Greater Accra region.
The National Cathedral will house chapels and baptistery, 5000-seat in the main auditorium, expandable to 15,000 people for national events and celebrations.
It will also include among others, a grand central hall, a music school, and will house Africa’s first-ever Bible Museum and documentation centre.
Most Rev Dr Samuel Asante in his welcome remarks expressed his appreciation to the vision of the president for mooting the idea. He said this is a partnership between the church and the govt.
He disclosed that 3 fundraising events have been held for the project so far.
President Akufo-Addo taking his turn, recalled the genesis of the Cathedral and deeply expressed his appreciation to the board of trustees and members of the fund raising committee, Sir David Adjei among others.
He said the reason for his decision to build a cathedral for the country still holds, adding that the nation has been preserved by the grace of God.
Also about 70% of the nation is made up of Christians and said it will be a befitting edifice for the Christian family in Ghana and as well as redeeming his pledge to God for facilitating his way to the presidency.
He said just as God had enabled Jeremiah to do same in biblical years so it was his hope that same occurs in Ghana.
The ceremony also formed part of the celebrations of the 63rd anniversary of Ghana’s independence. The March 6 event will be held at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium to mark 63 years since Ghana attained independence.
This will be the second time the Independence Day celebration will be held outside Accra after it was held in Tamale, the Northern Regional capital, in 2019. to reinforce peace and unity in Dagbon.
This year, the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, His Excellency Keith Christopher Rowley, will be the special guest of honour for the celebration, while the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and other dignitaries will also grace the occasion.
The parade will also involve personnel from the security agencies, schoolchildren and other notable organizations.
