The comments made by the Metropolitan Archbishop of the Anglican Church for the province of West Africa, Rev. Dr Cyril Kobina Ben-Smith, cannot be ignored, especially as president Akufo-Addo, is still insistence on building the national cathedral.
Speaking at the Second Presidential New Year Service at the Jubilee House, Rev. Ben-Smith called on the president to ignore the critics of the project.
“Your Excellency, your building of the National Cathedral is a long testimony of your devotion to God and no matter the naysayers it will happen,” he assured in a sermon during the Second Presidential New Year Service at the Jubilee House held on January 10, 2023.
Drawing analogies from the Bible, Rev Dr Ben-Smith compared President Akufo-Addo to the biblical King David who built a house for God despite opposition.
“You and other world leaders, King David faced similar challenges that we are still experiencing. The murmuring of the people and lamentation of the crowd, the abuse and lack of understanding of the issues that are clear to all…Yet David stood resolute, in his conviction in the midst of opposition,” he insisted.
Comment such as this not only reduce the trust the people have in the church, but also undermines the social and religious stability of the country.
It is instructive to point out that, no one is against the building of a national cathedral, but the hardship of the time, makes such an idea, not only untenable but unnecessary.
We have more churches in this country than factories and yet the ills in the society keep increasing by the day.
As a newspaper, we see men of God, as representing the conscience of the nation. They hear and see more of the suffering of the people, because people see solace with them.
It is, however, their duty to remind the president of his covenant to the people, which is to improve their standard of living.
In the considered opinion of this newspaper, the destitute need pastors now to speak for them more than ever, and joining politicians on this frolic is simply unacceptable.
Rev. Dr Cyril Kobina Ben-Smith, must remember his oath is to God and most importantly to the people. He should not be influenced by his parochial selfish interest.
