The Finance Minister, Ken Ofori Atta has guaranteed Ghanaians that the National Cathedral will help boost tourism and generate more revenue for the country once completed.
“Constructing such a facility secures a steady arrival of religious tourists. Israel hosts more than four million people annually with an associated US$6 billion contribution to the economy.
The Hajj pilgrimage on the other hand brings in 2.5 million attendees, with an associated economic impact of US$8 billion,” he said.
Speaking on GTV’s Talking Point on June, 12, Ofori Atta stated that with a conservative estimate of 300,000-400,000 visitors per year, the National Cathedral is expected to raise at least $1.8 billion over five years.
The Minister declared that the construction of the National Cathedral would be completed by March 6, 2024.
In response to criticism about the cathedral’s construction, the Minister stated that the state will not be deterred from constructing the national edifice, which will be beneficial once completed.
“At any point in time when these buildings were built in Europe, was it ever the right time? How do we fund it will become the question? Is the executive mindful of the current situation? We shouldn’t snuff out our religiousness or spirituality because we are poor. The Lord will understand if we put our widows mite in there,” he said.
“If you are building a holistic society for growth and development should you not take care of all the elements? Maybe in different proportions. So let’s say the cathedral took 200 years and others have taken maybe 3 or 4 years, maybe that will be the debate but to actually think or believe that this part of our lives is not necessary, will mean cutting the soul in spirit of the country,” he added.
According to the Minister, the Architect proposed that the country require a monumental core, which would house all of the national building infrastructures. As a result, Accra was chosen as the location for the National Cathedral.
“If you look at Accra, where Nkrumah museum is, where the old parliament is, and then the roman catholic church, come down to the SU building, ridge, you move towards parliament, the conference center and back there the independence square, so that clearly is a very important space, and the question is if you have this type of architecture or monument that you’ve built doesn’t it fit into that?” the Minister said.
The National Cathedral designed by British-Ghanaian architect Sir David Adjaye is said to house chapels and baptistery, a 5000-seater main auditorium which will be expandable to a 15,000-seater capacity for national events and celebrations, among other facilities.
