Despite widespread public angst, President Akufo Addo is scheduled to cut the sod for the construction of the over US$ 100 million National Cathedral tomorrow Thursday, March 5, 2020.
President Nana Akufo-Addo at a ceremony in Accra will lay the foundation stone at the site at Ridge, marking the start of the construction of the edifice which has been heavily condemned as a waste of scarce public resources.
“Dignitaries” across the country and the world, including donors, are expected to grace the “ground-breaking” on Thursday.
According to the Secretary to the Board of Trustees of the controversial cathedral, Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng, no legal challenges would stop the project which is the personal wish of President Akufo Addo.
“We have won three cases in the Supreme Court,” he asserted, adding, “the Cathedral will surely be built.”
The government has torn down several state buildings to make way for the cathedral whose true purpose is shrouded in secrecy.
The Passports office, the Judicial Training School, plush bungalows for Appeals Court judges and many more buildings have been levelled even when the case opposing the construction was still being held in court.
The 14-acre premium site for the cathedral also houses diplomatic assets such as the Malian Embassy. This will also be pulled down, said Rev Boateng, explaining that the Malian building has diplomatic implication so they are going through the processes.
The Akufo-Addo government has also promised seed money of over US$ 20 million for the contentious project touted as the abode of God that will attract international tourists.