KEY POINTS
- Sonnie Badu supports honouring vows made to God.
- The National Cathedral project has faced strong criticism.
- Construction has stalled due to insufficient funds.
In a recent interview with Takoradi-based Empire FM, Sonnie Badu told ShowBiz Today host Feeling Daddy, that the debate over the National Cathedral stems from the fact that it was a vow made to God by one individual.
Sonnie Badu supports honouring individual vows made to God
“The reason why there are a lot of problems and confusion is that it was not a collective vow. It was an individual vow, and that’s why there’s a bit of an issue,” he said.
Citing Biblical examples, Badu emphasized that those who made vows to God in Biblical times ensured they fulfilled them.
“If that was the vow the president made to God, then he needs to honour it. When you read the Bible, people made vows to God and they fulfilled them. So, if you’re asking me if it’s necessary, I would say that if he vowed to God, he needs to honour it. But that is very personal between him and his God. It’s more like, ‘I promised God, so I need to use my money to fulfil it.’ But when it’s like, ‘I promised God, so let’s all do it,’ that’s where the confusion lies,” he added.
National Cathedral debate fueled by questions over funding and priority
Badu also noted that the idea of a National Cathedral is positive.
“A cathedral is a good thing. Just as there are many mosques that Muslims have built for worship, a National Cathedral—something for the nation—is not a bad idea,” he said.
According to a report by MyjoyOnline, the construction of the National Cathedral of Ghana is rooted in a promise made by President Nana Akufo-Addo to God.
“I pledged to almighty God that if He was gracious enough to grant my party, the NPP, and I victory in the 2016 elections after two unsuccessful attempts, I would help build a cathedral to His glory and honor,” President Akufo-Addo said at the sod-cutting ceremony in 2020.
“The interdenominational National Cathedral will help unify the Christian community and thereby promote national unity and social cohesion,” he added. The Cathedral is intended to symbolize placing God at the center of Ghana’s national affairs and serve as an expression of gratitude for His blessings on the nation.
The National Cathedral represents a vision of a society that relies on God, as reflected in the opening words of Ghana’s national anthem: “God bless our homeland Ghana and make our nation great and strong!”
The Cathedral will be an interdenominational house of worship and prayer, serving as the venue for formal state events of a religious nature, such as inaugurations of presidents, state funerals, and national thanksgiving services.
President Akufo-Addo believes the National Cathedral will be a unifying monument that fosters shared conversations on faith and national progress. He also envisions it as a platform for promoting discussions on how to collectively build a prosperous Ghana. However, the project, spearheaded by Akufo-Addo, has faced criticism and resistance.
Construction halted due to lack of funding amid economic challenges
Many Ghanaians have argued that the Cathedral is not a national priority, especially in light of the country’s economic challenges.
The project has also been marred by controversies, leading to the resignation of some committee members.
Though funding for the $400 million project was supposed to come from donations and government “seed money,” a significant portion of the $58 million spent so far has come from national funds.
Currently, construction of the National Cathedral has stalled due to insufficient funding.
