Why is Otabil, Duncan Williams, others silent on National Cathedral brouhaha? - Sefa Kayi quizzes

Host of Peace FM’s flagship programme “Kokrokoo”, Kwami Sefa Kayi has called on religious leaders in the country to let their voices be heard on the matter of government’s decision to establish a National Cathedral in the heart of capital, Accra.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on March 6, 2018 unveiled an architectural design for the construction of a National Cathedral.

The Cathedral is aimed at fostering national cohesion and creating an avenue for national prayers and religious events to be held as part of the Akufo-Addo’s heritage to the country.

There are however several controversies over the site for the Cathedral with government intending to demolish some buildings and properties to have the project at Ridge in Accra.

The National Cathedral is to sit around a 14-acre garden and will have chapels, a baptistery, a music school, an art gallery, a Bible Museum and Documentation Centre - It is expected to seat 5,000 people in its main auditorium.

According to Mr. Sefa Kayi, the Cathedral though a laudable initiative by the government, he has serious issues over its intended location.

He questioned why the government is not thinking about spreading its tentacles by constructing the Cathedral in another ideal place other than the capital.

“The idea of having a National Cathedral is a laudable one but most importantly, we should reconsider its location. Have we thought about the traffic situation in the capital?”

He wondered why religious leaders like the General Overseer of the International Central Gospel Church, Dr Mensah Otabil and Archbishop Duncan Williams of the Action Chapel International, among others seem to have gone silent over the issue.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, in March 2017, inaugurated a 13-member Board of Trustees who will be in charge of the National Cathedral when it is completed.



The Board, largely constituted by heads of various church groups, have also been tasked to oversee the successful completion of the national chapel.

The board members include; Most Reverend Asante Antwi as the Chairman, Archbishop Charles Plamer Buckle as Vice Chairman and Prophet Kusi Boateng, who is the Secretary to the Board.

The rest are, Apostle Opoku Onyinah, Rev. Joyce Aryee, Moderator, Presbyterian Church, Cephas Amenyo, Right. Rev. Offei Akrofi, Archbishop Nicholas Duncan Williams, Rev. Eastwood Anaba, Bishop Dag Heward-Mills, Pastor Mensa Otabil, Rev Dr. Frimpong Manso and former Moderator of the Presbyterian Church, Professor. Emmanuel Martey.



The ace broadcaster urged these renowned men of God to speak up on the issue and be loud about it and not allow government communicators to hold brief for them.

“(Pastor) Mensah Otabil, (Archbishop) Duncan Williams, Bishop Asante Antwi and other leaders on the Committee; why aren’t they talking? Why have they left explanations regarding the need for the Cathedral and source of funding to government Communicators?” he quizzed.