Ghana's National Cathedral

The building of Ghana's national mega cathedral has been one of the most controversial subjects in recent Ghana's history. Ghanaians have debated throughout all corners of Ghanaian life, religious societies and different tribes, whether building such a mega temple are worth the money. In the midst of the ''Fix the Country demonstrations'' and reign of insults against the ruling party from all corners of life, the question arrives, is this project the right thing to do, and is it the right time for such a monument.

I believe, to really establish our argument whether for or against, we should go back into history where a similar thing was established, the conditions that were prevailing, and also a bit more of the character of the person that spearheaded it.

I am talking about Solomon. As we all know, Solomon was the one the spearheaded the building of the first temple of Israel, and it was said in the time of Solomon, that there was complete peace between Israel and the nations surrounding them. Studying the character of Solomon, you will realize that, Solomon was a good statesman and a man of many languages; many languages in the sense that he knew how to deal with the nations around Israel.

According to the scriptures, Solomon did not just become what he became, as the wisest ruler of Israel, he asked for it. As a young fellow, he realized the challenges that were before him, and also taking into consideration the failures of the past rulers of Israel, he knew he needed one thing and one thing alone, wisdom, wisdom to rule and govern the children of Israel and that's what he asked for.

The story of Solomon tells us that, most of the time wisdom does not come naturally, but it is a thing that can be asked for. Solomon studied the history of the reign of the Kings of Israel and especially David who was his father, he saw his father's reign, he saw the failures, the challenges, the deadly battles, and misery that Israel went through and he decided, No!! to rule these people, I will need wisdom, and a lot of it.

The wisdom of Solomon should make us also realize that wisdom will not just come to you, it has to be given to you. For Solomon to honor the one that gave it, he decided to build the temple, it was a temple of Israel's authority, a temple of power, a monument of submission and humility, a monument that signifies the spiritual power of Israel, that it was said that in its dedication, Solomon prayed that if there be any child of Israel in any trouble and he turns to the direction of the temple, they should be delivered. A prayer that was realised in the life of Jonah, in Jonah's predicament brought to him through disobedience, perhaps we may also see ourselves in a similar condition.

When the situation seemed hopeless, he turned towards it and prayed and he was delivered. Looking at many countries and also checking their history, you will know that monuments like this have been built and no one will have to tell you how those countries are and have become. I believe Nana Akofo Addo, the current president of the Republic Of Ghana can be compared to Solomon, a man of many languages, a good statesman, and a natural diplomat. He has gone through history and has seen the reign of his father, the failures and victories, and the cries and laughter of the Ghanaian people.

He has also realized one thing, that who he is and has become is not something that was naturally given to him, he asked and worked hard for it, a good statesman, wisdom, a man of many tongues, a good diplomat, he asked and worked hard for it. Therefore, to honor the one who gave it, he has decided to do this project. Let all Ghanaians support him, it's not a project for him, it's a project for all Ghanaians.

Taking you back to the time of Israel, the temple was not built by Solomon singlehandedly, it was built by Israel as a nation, therefore I believe every Ghanaian should and have to contribute to the building of this Cathedral and they will be blessed by it. Ghana must build this temple together, everyone should contribute his quoter to the building of this cathedral, even the Ghanaians in the diaspora.