Minister-designate for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga, has described Ghana as a deeply religious country despite its constitutional status as a secular state.
Speaking before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Thursday, August 27, Mr Ayariga said religion remains an important part of Ghanaian life, with places of worship providing spaces for citizens to practise their faith.
“I believe that Ghana and Ghanaians, we are a deeply religious people and even though constitutionally, we are considered as a secular state,” he said.
He added that “having cathedrals, church buildings, mosques and other worship centres are great and they enable the practice of religion.”
Against this backdrop, Mr Ayariga said he saw nothing fundamentally wrong with the proposal to establish a National Cathedral for the Christian community.
“The idea of having a National Cathedral in my view, is a wonderful, exciting idea and I don’t think there is anything wrong with having a National Cathedral for the Christian community,” he said.
He, however, distinguished between the concept of the National Cathedral and how the project was executed, saying he believed it was “a good idea that was badly implemented.”
Mr Ayariga also disclosed that he had reservations about the location chosen for the project.
He said that if approved as Minister, he would engage the leadership of the Christian community and President John Dramani Mahama to determine the way forward on the project.
National Cathedral is a wonderful idea but… – Mahama Ayariga
