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.
