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Four remanded for stealing vehicles belonging to EC boss’ husband

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July 30, 2021

Four remanded for stealing vehicles belonging to EC boss’ husband

Four national security operatives have been remanded into police custody by an Accra Circuit Court for allegedly stealing vehicles belonging to the husband of the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Dr Charles Mensah.

The four, on Tuesday, July 27, allegedly destroyed the metallic gate of the residence of the complainant and entered his compound with two towing vehicles with registration numbers GX3976-20 and GW557V to commit the crime.

The accused, Alhaji Ahmed Bandoh, Albert Paa Kwesi Okyere, Kwasi Acheampong, George Antwi and one Randy, now at large stole a Toyota Land Cruiser and a Nissan Patrol.

They have subsequently been charged with unlawful entry, stealing, causing unlawful damage and conspiracy to commit crime.

Their pleas were not taken by the court.

The court, presided over by Mrs Evelyn Asamoah, also turned bail application put in by Mr Prince Neequaye, counsel for the accused persons.

Chief Inspector Emmanuel Haligah, holding brief for Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Sylvester Asare, told the court, that after stealing the vehicles, the accused persons loaded them unto the towing trucks, and exited the compound.

He said while existing the house, some military men saw them and apprehended them.

The Prosecutor said the military men handed them over to the police attached to the National Security.

The drivers of the respective towing vehicles however escaped with their vehicles.

He said investigations were underway to arrest the drivers and their towing vehicles.

The matter has been adjourned to August 11.

Sputnik V vaccines: Group defends Agyeman Manu; lauds him over Covid fight

The Data and Advocacy Consult has jumped to the defense of the Health Minister, Mr Kwaku Agyeman Manu over the inconveniences in the procurement of the Sputnik V vaccines.

According to the Group who noted how instrumental Mr Agyeman Manu has been in the fight against the covid-19 pandemic, the Minister rather chose the health and safety of Ghanaians over procedural measures in procuring the Sputnik V vaccines.

It will be recalled that the Health Minister who appeared before Parliament on July 19, revealed that he was unable to seek approval from Parliament before signing an agreement with Sheikh Ahmed Dalmook Al Maktoum to procure Sputnik V vaccines.

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Source: Graphic

Parents urged to guide students in choosing courses- Economist

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July 30, 2021

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Parents urged to guide students in choosing courses- Economist

Economist, Isaiah Sikayena has urged parents and teachers to guide children in choosing courses that will help them gain employable skills before they come out of school.

He advised students to also choose courses that will help them create employment for themselves when they complete school.

His comments come after the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta stated that 50% of University entrants were choosing ‘hopeless’ courses while reading the 2021 Mid-Year Budget Review to Parliament on Thursday, July 29, 2021.

According to him, an increasing number of young Ghanaians entering tertiary institutions are opting for programmes “in sectors with no or little growth in the labour market”.

Speaking on Atinka TV’s morning show, Ghana Nie with Ekourba Gyasi Simpremu, Isaiah Sikayena identified that more than 50 percent graduates concentrate on business courses while a little focus on science and technology.

“With the choosing of the courses, the career guidance should start from the Junior High School. We have to help the students choose the right courses based on their abilities because everyone has a course they can do, If you ask me to choose a course which is more of reading, it will be a worry because I do not like reading but if you give me a course which is more of calculations, I may feel comfortable with it so if the parents are able to identify the strengths of the child, it helps him or her,” he said.

Mr Isaiah Sikayena noted that, “some choose the courses based on the schools their friends are choosing without informing their parents. Meanwhile, the parents and the teachers are the key stakeholders aside the government.”

He noted that most of the universities are now doing entrepreneurial courses for students, saying that it helps the students gain employable skills to create their own jobs when they complete school, urging all to encourage this.

The Economist also urged the government to also create an enabling environment for starters to get loans and equipment to start their own businesses in order to encourage young entrepreneurs.

“Some of the students created veronica buckets and hand sanitizers when the covid-19 came. If they are given the equipment and encourage them they will become their own entrepreneurs, that is what the country needs now,” he said.

Ghana| Atinkaonline.com| Porcia Oforiwaa Ofori
Writer’s email: [email protected]

Mid Year Budget: Every course is very relevant in the University- Economist challenges Finance Minister

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July 30, 2021

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Mid Year Budget: Every course is very relevant in the University- Economist challenges Finance Minister

An economist, Isaiah Sikayena has challenged the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori Attah on his statement that most University students are opting for courses in sectors with little or no growth in the labour market

The Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta stated that 50% of University Entrants were choosing ‘hopeless’ courses while reading the 2021 Mid-Year Budget Review to Parliament on Thursday, July 29, 2021.

According to him, an increasing number of young Ghanaians entering tertiary institutions are opting for programmes “in sectors with no or little growth in the labour market”.

Speaking on Atinka TV’s morning show, Ghana Nie with Ekourba Gyasi Simpremu, Mr Isaiah Sikayena noted that all courses offered at the Universities are very relevant.

According to him, the courses go through thorough screening before the National Accreditation Board approves for the students to study them, making it more credible and relevant.

The Economist said although all the courses are relevant, it is the mode of teaching that has resulted in the lack of employment after the students complete the school.

“Every course studied in the university is very relevant. I have never seen any course which is not important in the University. If not, the NAB will not approve it for students to study. The processes the courses are taken through are very thorough. The Economists in the country think of the things which we need to learn to help the economy. Every course is important for economic growth,” he said.

He said ,”Someone can do music, theatre or accounting and all are important but how we do it is the problem. It should not be that even if someone studies music at school, it is not when he completes that he has to go and look for someone to help him get a job, but he can use what he learnt from school to create either a music school or a job and not rely on government for job.

The Economist added that “We have to focus the teaching and learning on practical base. How I can create my own job, how I can write my own music, or create my own studio. So that by the time he or she comes out, even if he is employed by someone, he will become very relevan”

He recommended that, “Most of the schools should prepare the students from JHS to University, but the workshops are not functional, most of the schools do not have science labs. The system only tests the IQ of the students or the ability of the student to memorize what they have learnt and also to produce. We have to go beyond that. We have to ensure that the students can create things on their own with what they have been taught. The responsibility is on the teachers and the government.”

The Economist said the government must provide the materials needed to do more practicals so that after school students will know how to use these equipment.

“For the mode of delivery, the teachers should engage the students more to read themselves and also come out with their own interventions. Most of them teach or produce for the students and some of them are very lazy, they will only read your lesson note and bring it. We need to look at all those areas because it will make the students employable,” he added.

Ghana| Atinkaonline.com| Porcia Oforiwaa Ofori

Writer’s email: [email protected]

We don’t promote LGBTQ+ but we’re against systemic attacks on them -Amnesty International

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July 30, 2021

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We don’t promote LGBTQ+ but we’re against systemic attacks on them -Amnesty International

The Executive Director of Amnesty International Ghana, Frank Doyi, has clarified that, his outfit does not promote or advocate for the LGBTQ+ community.

He explained that Amnesty International is rather against “systematic attacks by state and non-state actors” against persons on the basis of their real or perceived sexual preference .

According to him, Amnesty International is aware of a private member’s Bill on LGBTQ+ yet to be submitted to Parliament and therefore called on Government and authorities to ensure that, all human rights defenders, which includes those who work in protecting the LGBTQ+ community can operate in a safe and enabling environment.

Again, he said the Authorities must ensure that, hate speech, harassment, physical attacks and threats against the LGBTQ+ community are thoroughly investigated and perpetrators brought to book.

“Authorities must ensure that, hate speech and threats against LGBTQ+ people and those defending their fundamental human rights guaranteed by article 21 of the 1992 constitution are thoroughly investigated and those responsible are brought to justice,” he said at a press conference in Accra.

The Executive Director of the Amnesty International Ghana, Frank Doyi reiterated that, the Amnesty International Ghana does not intend to advocate or support the LGBTQ+ community, but as partners in the business of saving lives and protecting the fundamental human rights and freedoms, they want the rights of these LGBTQ+ community protected.

They are therefore pleading with the media to support them.

“As partners in the business of saving lives and protecting the fundamental human right and freedoms, the media must not contribute to the hate speech, discrimination, hostility and misinformation towards human rights defenders including those defending the right of the LGBTQ+ community”

Amnesty International Ghana again called on the Government of Ghana to commit to steps being taken to amend the laws of Ghana to abolish death penalty and commute all death sentences to life imprisonment.

According to him, the Amnesty International is concerned that death sentences are still imposed and that a high number of persons remain on death row for a long period.

He reiterated Amnesty International’s position that death penalty violates human rights including the rights to life..

“Ghana’s death penalty retentionist policy is out of step with the rest of the world. Abolishing the death penalty will reinforce our commitment to protecting human right in the continent.”

Ghana | Atinkaonline.com | Abigail Owusu

Digital Transformation Enablers’ taking Ghana to next level– Bawumia

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July 30, 2021

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Digital Transformation Enablers’ taking Ghana to next level– Bawumia

The building blocks for the Akufo-Addo administration’s vision to transform the Ghanaian economy and prepare her for the Fourth Industrial Revolution are taking shape and will soon make all aspects of life better, Vice President Bawumia has stated.

These building blocks, anchored on technology, are designed to improve public administration and the delivery of public services, formalize the economy, improve revenue mobilization, deepen and broaden financial inclusiveness in the growth processes, and curb bribery and corruption.

Speaking at the first Graduation and fourth Matriculation ceremony of the Madina Institute of Technology (MIST) on Thursday, July 29, 2021, Vice President Bawumia said Ghana’s rapid adoption of digital technologies since 2017 has been driven broadly by two considerations: the imperatives of change in the global economy, and the need to tackle our development challenges.

Digital Transformation

“We have since 2017 worked hard to leverage technology for development. We have developed what I call Digital Transformation Enablers. These include the famous Ghana Card, the Digital Address System, the Mobile Money Interoperability, the Universal QR Code and the Ghana.Gov platform.

“It is these enablers that are enabling several applications and making digital transformation as drivers of growth possible.”

Citing the bottlenecks associated with accessing public services, Dr Bawumia indicated that the ongoing infusion of technology would soon put paid to the many human interfaces that lend themselves to corruption.

“Public institutions and bureaucracies have for far too long stuck to cumbersome structures, systems and procedures. We have sluggish centralized bureaucracies, rigid rules based, hierarchical chains of command and highly interpersonal in its delivery of public services. No matter how educated you are, how much trigonometry and algebra you have learnt, they will want you to accept that getting passport or applying for business license is so complex you need “middlemen” and ‘goro boys’. These lead to the emergence of incentives conducive to bribery and corruption.

“In fact, of the many reforms to strengthen and improve the efficiency of public administration and eliminate the incentives for corruption, I strongly believe that digitization can accomplish in short order what many years of public sector reforms have failed to achieve.

“Ghana is on an irreversible march for change. We consider digitization in all areas of public administration as an important goal to be accomplished,” he declared.

Dr Bawumia emphasized that the linchpin for the success of the transformation agenda is human capital development, which is also receiving top priority from Government.

“President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is focused on the vision of developing human capital for the transformation of the country. Our young people especially, are central to this agenda, and it is this vision that informed the implementation of the Free Senior High School programme since 2017.

“The interest of the youth in science, technology and innovation therefore, must be encouraged and nurtured. These are the building blocks for the new Ghana; a data-driven, knowledge-based digital economy.

Vice President Bawumia commended authorities of the M.I.S.T. for staying true to their vision of science and technology education, saying the ongoing efforts to secure accreditation to roll out programmes in Computer Science, Information Technology, Data Science and Innovation and Technology Management are most welcome.

“This is a step in the right direction as we aim to develop additional capacity in the areas of Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data and Connectivity. It is not by accident that Google and Twitter are all finding their way to Ghana.” He added.

M.I.S.T.

Established as a non-profit organization in 2013 by the Madina Foundation for Science and Technology (MFST), M.I.S.T. was granted institutional accreditation by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission in June, 2016 and has institutional and programme (Engineering) affiliation with the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi and the University for Development Studies (UDS), Tamale.

The Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, performed the tape cutting ceremony to officially start the Institute in September, 2017 as a University College, and was Guest of Honour at the first Graduation, of 64 students.

Ghana | Atinkaonline.com

Sputnik V vaccines: Group defends Agyeman Manu; lauds him over Covid fight

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July 30, 2021

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Sputnik V vaccines: Group defends Agyeman Manu; lauds him over Covid fight

The Data and Advocacy Consult has jumped to the defense of the Health Minister, Mr Kwaku Agyeman Manu over the inconveniences in the procurement of the Sputnik V vaccines.

According to the Group who noted how instrumental Mr Agyeman Manu has been in the fight against the covid-19 pandemic, the Minister rather chose the health and safety of Ghanaians over procedural measures in procuring the Sputnik V vaccines.

It will be recalled that the Health Minister who appeared before Parliament on July 19, revealed that he was unable to seek approval from Parliament before signing an agreement with Sheikh Ahmed Dalmook Al Maktoum to procure Sputnik V vaccines.

That, according to the Minister was because he was frustrated and couldn’t think ‘properly’ due to his desire to prevent further deaths related to Covid-19.

It was also disclosed that some clauses in the Ministry of Health’s 64 million dollar contract for supply of Sputnik V vaccines are in breach of FDA regulations, as well as biased and skewed against the state.

Speaking at a Press conference in Accra on Thursday, July 29, 2021, the Executive Director of Data and Advocacy Consult Ghana, Mr Felix Asirifi said, “We believe that the minister has been forthright with us as a country and has shown he is also human and could make mistakes.”

Meanwhile, He noted that Ghana has been recognised as one of the countries that have been able to manage the pandemic to the extent that the country has unfortunately recorded a death toll of 823, comparatively one of the lowest in the world.

Mr Felix Asirifi also noted that Data on Worldometer.com today, attest to the fact that Ghana still stands as one of the countries with one of the lowest infection and death rates per population, adding that this feat was chalked with the immense contribution of the Minster for Health.

“The history of covid-19 will never be written without the mention of the leadership of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo and the Health Minister, Mr Agyeman Manu. Even in the face of being infected and having been admitted to ICU, the Minister gave leadership by surviving the disease and giving hope to those that have been affected and also returning to the field to fight against the pandemic,” he said.

He added that, “We want to appeal to parliament to use this report in framing laws to forestall such eventualities when we are in difficult times and the laid down rules regarding procurement could be bypassed.”

Mr Felix Asirifi therefore encouraged the Health Minister to be focused on the good job done so far because covid is still within the country.

“We are also by this encouraging the Minister to be focused on the good job done so far because covid is still within our borders. And to be encouraged by the number of lives he and his team have saved by the grace of God and a dint of hard work,” he added.

Ghana| Atinkaonline.com| Porcia Oforiwaa Ofori
Writer’s email: [email protected]

Covid: Military deployed to help enforce lockdown

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July 30, 2021

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Covid: Military deployed to help enforce lockdown

Australia has deployed hundreds of soldiers to Sydney to help enforce a Covid lockdown.

A Delta outbreak which began in June has produced nearly 3,000 infections and led to nine deaths.

Australian Defence Force soldiers will undergo training on the weekend before beginning unarmed patrols on Monday.

But many have questioned whether the military intervention is necessary, calling it heavy-handed.

The lockdown – in place until at least 28 August – bars people from leaving their home except for essential exercise, shopping, caregiving and other reasons.

Despite five weeks of lockdown, infections in the nation’s largest city continue to spread. Officials recorded 170 new cases on Friday.

Soldiers will join police in virus hotspots to ensure people are following the rules, which include a 10km (6.2 miles) travel limit.

State Police Minister David Elliott said it would help because a small minority of Sydneysiders thought “the rules didn’t apply to them”.

Information provided by health officials indicates the virus is mainly spreading through permitted movement.

The Australian Lawyers Alliance, a civil rights group, called the deployment a “concerning use” of the army in a liberal democracy.

The outbreak has largely affected critical workers and large family groups in the city’s poorer and ethnically diverse west and south-west suburbs. About two million people live there.

Critics say those areas have already faced “targeted” policing measures. They point out restrictions there are harsher than for the rest of Sydney.

“Our people are one of the poorest demographics, and as it is, they already feel picked on and marginalised,” said Steve Christou, one local mayor.

“They can’t afford to pay the mortgage, the rent, the food or work. Now to throw out the army to enforce lockdown on the streets is going to be a huge issue to these people,” he told SBS.

Others have called for the government to increase its vaccine drive and support services for the affected communities.

Source: BBC

Video: CCTV captures armed robbers attacking mobile money vendor

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July 29, 2021

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Video: CCTV captures armed robbers attacking mobile money vendor

The North East Region Police command has arrested two suspected robbers at Nasia in the Walewale Municipality for stealing from a Mobile Money Vendor.

This was after a CCTV Camera installed in the mobile money vendor’s shop captured the entire drama during the robbery.

The arrested suspects are Fuseini Yakubu, 25, and Wahab Yakubu, 28.

The robbery incident occurred on Wednesday, July 28, 2021.

ASP Robert Anabiik, the Acting North East Regional Police Public Relations Officer in a statement confirmed the arrest of the two persons.

The suspects believed to have attacked the mobile money vendor, Ibrahim Abubakari, at his shop in Nasia, a suburb of the Walewale municipality and robbed him an amount of Ghc25,000.00.

According to him, the mobile money vendor and some individuals who were at the shop to transact business were all made to lay on their stomach.

He said the owner of the shop after the incident handed over the CCTV video recordings to the police, which aided the investigations and arrest of the two.

According to ASP Robert Anabiik, the police has placed an amount of Ghc2,000 bounty for the arrest of other two persons who currently on the run.

He used the opportunity to thank the youth and people of Nasia who assisted the Police to arrest the suspects, and however appealed to the people of Nasia to remain calm and cooperate with the police to bring the perpetrators to book.

Below is the full video of the drama:

The two suspects according to him are being processed for court.

In other news: 60-yr-old retired educationist jailed for defiling 13-yr-old girl

60-year-old retired educationist, Abeka Bill, has been jailed eight years for defiling a 13-year-old girl at Chorkor in the Greater Accra Region.

Providing details of the case, DSP Agnes Boafo stated that “the accused is a retired educationist and resides with the victim in the same vicinity at Chorkor Galilee. On 18^th June, 2021 at about 4:00pm, the victim went to fetch water and the accused saw her and asked the victim to buy sachet water for him. When the victim brought the water, she could not find the accused person so she entered the accused’s living room and kept the water on a yellow gallon. While the victim was about to come out form the accused person’s room, the accused suddenly entered and dragged the victim onto his bed”.

Click the link to read more:

Ghana| Atinkaonline.com| Porcia Oforiwaa Ofori

Group commends Agyeman Manu over fight against Covid

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July 29, 2021

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Group commends Agyeman Manu over fight against Covid

The Data and Advocacy Consult has commended the Minister of Health, Mr Kwaku Agyeman Manu for the work he has done since the emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Although the Group noted some inconsistencies in the procurement process of the covid vaccines, they were of the belief that the minister has been forthright with the country and has shown he is also human and could make mistakes.

It will be recalled that the Health Minister who appeared before Parliament on July 19, revealed that he was unable to seek approval from Parliament before signing an agreement with Sheikh Ahmed Dalmook Al Maktoum to procure Sputnik V vaccines.

That, according to the Minister was because he was frustrated and couldn’t think ‘properly’ due to his desire to prevent further deaths related to Covid-19.

It was also disclosed that some clauses in the Ministry of Health’s 64 million dollar contract for supply of Sputnik vaccines are in breach of FDA regulations, as well as biased and skewed against the state.

Speaking at a Press conference in Accra on Thursday, July 29, 2021, the Executive Director of Data and Advocacy Consult Ghana, Mr Felix Asirifi expressed the belief that Mr Agyeman Manu chose the health and safety of Ghanaians over procedural measures.

“We do acknowledge as an organisation, that there have been some issues regarding procurement of vaccines for the country, but on the balance can we say the government or the Ministry or the Minister has been bad in managing the situation in its totality? Can we conclude the Health Minister has been bad at his job? Are we measuring his performance by one isolated incident? Are we saying that his choice of saving lives rather than following the due process in the heat of the pandemic was a bad choice?,” he quizzed.

Mr Felix Asirifi also said, “The Minister has been honest, and emphasis must be placed on the word honest, in his submission to the committee in acknowledging that there were some issues as regards the procurement of the vaccine, would we rather as a country prefer that the Minister shift the blame or found other means of hiding this, or we will rather prefer his honesty with the issues surrounding the purchase of the vaccine. Our answer to this question should reflect the kind of public servants we seek to train.”

“We are not by this statement in anyway stating that public officials should be encouraged to hide behind any excuses to expend public funds without due diligence. However, we will support any public official who is honest in his duty to the mandate given him, he said.

Mr Felix Asirifi also noted that Data on Worldometer.com today, attest to the fact that Ghana still stands as one of the countries with one of the lowest infection and death rates per population, adding that this feat was chalked with the immense contribution of the Minster for Health.

“The history of covid-19 will never be written without the mention of the leadership of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo and the Health Minister, Mr Agyeman Manu. Even in the face of being infected and having been admitted to ICU, the Minister gave leadership by surviving the disease and giving hope to those that have been affected and also returning to the field to fight against the pandemic,” he said.

He added that, “We want to appeal to parliament to use this report in framing laws to forestall such eventualities when we are in difficult times and the laid down rules regarding procurement could be bypassed.”

Mr Felix Asirifi therefore encouraged the Health Minister to be focused on the good job done so far because covid is still within the country.

“We are also by this encouraging the Minister to be focused on the good job done so far because covid is still within our borders. And to be encouraged by the number of lives he and his team have saved by the grace of God and a dint of hard work,” he added.

Ghana| Atinkaonline.com| Porcia Oforiwaa Ofori
Writer’s email: [email protected]

National Cathedral to be commissioned on March 6, 2024-Finance Minister

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July 29, 2021

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National Cathedral to be commissioned on March 6, 2024-Finance Minister

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Ghana’s National Cathedral which is currently under construction is expected to be completed and commissioned in March,2024, Finance Minister, Ken Ofori Atta has said.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on March 5, 2020 cut sod for the construction of the National Cathedral.

President Akufo-Addo said the construction of the cathedral was a fulfilment of a promise he made to God in the run-up to the 2016 election.

Though the cost of the project is unknown, the Board of Trustees says it will be funded through private contributions but President Akufo Addo has been criticized for his decision to build the facility in the face of numerous challenges facing the country.

Some persons who went to court to challenge government’s decision to champion the project have not been successful.

The interdenominational Christian Cathedral, when completed, will have a 5,000-seating capacity with chapels, a baptistery, a music school, an art gallery and a Bible Museum.

Presenting the 2021 mid-year budget review in Parliament on Thursday, July 29, 2021, the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, disclosed that, work on the National Cathedral is progressing speedily.

“Mr. Speaker, work on the National Cathedral is progressing speedily, and following the program of the contractors, — and with God helping us, — the National Cathedral is expected to be officially commissioned on March 6, 2024”

He said, upon completion, the National Cathedral would provide a sacred space for formal religious activities of State and symbolise the enormous contribution of faith to Nation Building.

According to Adjaye Associates, the concept for the Cathedral establishes a unique, 21st century landmark where religion, democracy and local tradition are seamlessly and symbolically intertwined.

“Conceived as a physical embodiment of unity, harmony and spirituality, the National Cathedral will be a rich, authentic celebration of Ghanaian tradition and culture and a place of inspiration, reflection and common devotion. Its form derives from traditional symbols of worship and veneration, drawing reference from both Christian symbolism and traditional Ghanaian heritage,” it explained on its website.

Ghana | Atinkaonline.com Vincent Kwofie

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