Former Deputy General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party, Lawyer Obiri Boahen, has expressed disappointment in the government’s decision to build a national cathedral while the nation lacks life support equipment.
In an interview, Nana Obiri Boahen stressed that the National Cathedral is not a priority when the country lacks some of the top life support initiatives.
He noted that the country’s health sector needs more attention, stressing that health institutions such as the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, and other major health institutions are in dire need of dialysis machines to support life.
He explained that these facilities play a crucial role in delivering healthcare to citizens, and that is where our attention should be focused, not a cathedral.
“There is no essence in building a cathedral when the price of treating dialysis is unbearable in the country when there are no adequate machines for performing a successful dialysis surgery”.
“If all NPP members clap and support the construction of a cathedral, I will never be one of them”, he said.
Furthermore, Obiri Boahen mentioned that the amount of money that will be involved in the construction of this project can facilitate the construction of a railway from Accra to Bawku or Dormaa, which will address road infrastructure issues we face as a country.
Lawyer Obiri Boahen has therefore urged the government to highlight quality healthcare delivery and set priorities straight rather than building a cathedral, which would be of no use when citizens are not healthy enough to use it.
The $400 million state-funded church promised by President Akufo-Addo has raised concerns from individuals across the country since the president cut sod for its construction in 2020.
According to the President, the interdenominational national cathedral will help unify the Christian community and thereby help promote national unity and social cohesion.
He argued that the cathedral will bring enormous long-term economic benefits while transforming Ghana into a religious hub, creating jobs, and accruing more revenue for the state, but citizens believe it is a waste of resources and a misplaced priority when there are more pressing issues.
