Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has questioned the reasoning behind government’s assertion that the National Cathedral would rake in revenue for the nation through tourism.
According to him, channeling the money wasted on the Cathedral to Ghana’s tourist sites like the forts and castles, which are significant historic structures would have given the State more revenue.
Okudzeto Ablakwa says people visit Israel, Mecca and other places due to the linkage between their religion and the places.
With Jesus Christ living a part of his life in Israel and the Prophet Mohammed hailing from Mecca, the North Tongu lawmaker says it makes religious sense for Christians and Muslims to visit those places, unlike Ghana where Jesus never stepped a foot.
He was speaking with Nana Yaa Brefo on Onua FM’s Yen Nsempa Thursday, March 07, 2024.
“I have questioned the reasoning. There is a reason why Christians go to Israel and Muslims go to Mecca. There is a certain linkage with the religion. We all know Jesus Christ grew up in Israel, Bethlehem, Jerusalem, the wailing wall and all kinds of Christian historic significant structures. Jesus Christ did not come to Ghana, He did not walk on the land of Accra. I am sure if we put just 5% of the Cathedral money to renovate our forts and castles because of the authentic history, the linkage, the significance of slavery, colonialism, we will get more tourist returns,” the MP noted.
The National Cathedral was billed to be commissioned Wednesday, March 06, 2024, according to former Finance minister, Ken Ofori-Atta.
So far, GHC339 million has been wasted on the project but still in its foundation stage.
Some Minority MPs led by Mr. Ablakwa visited the construction site yesterday to do a symbolic commissioning to mock the government.
NDC MPs symbolically ‘commission’ non-existent National Cathedral to mock gov’t
By Felix Anim-Appau with additional files from Robert Mawuko
