The Minority in Parliament has reiterated its support for the completion of the National Cathedral, describing the project as an important national undertaking. Speaking during an engagement with the Christian Council, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin argued that the facility should not be regarded merely as a place of worship. He said the completed cathedral could promote tourism, enhance Ghana’s international image and provide a unifying space for citizens.
According to him, “This National Cathedral, we need it as a nation. It shouldn’t be too simplistic to think that the cathedral is just for prayer. It is also for tourism.” Mr Afenyo-Markin referenced an old mosque in Türkiye which, he said, attracts about 4,000 visitors each day due to its historical and architectural significance. He argued that the National Cathedral could similarly become a major tourist attraction capable of benefiting the entire country.
He stressed that the project should serve beyond the Christian community, saying it could become a national landmark and a rallying point for Ghanaians. “So if we have the cathedral, it’s not only for the Christian community; it is for the entire nation. It is tourism potential, it is image and the image of the country, it becomes a rallying point for us as a country,” he said.
Mr Afenyo-Markin, however, criticised the government for what he described as a lack of clarity and consistency regarding the project. He accused the government of sending conflicting signals about the intended use of the site. “The government is showing inconsistency. It says one thing today, it says another tomorrow. We don’t know what they want to use the site for. There’s no clarity as to what they want to use the site for,” he said.
He subsequently called for broader consultations among relevant stakeholders to determine the future of the National Cathedral and chart a clear path toward completing the project.
