Kwesi Pratt Jnr, the Managing Editor of the Insight newspaper, has urged President John Dramani Mahama to focus on the more important issues of the economy rather than talking about the controversial National Cathedral project.

Contributing to a panel discussion on Metro TV, Kwesi Pratt reasoned that the issue of the National Cathedral should be relegated to the back burner as there are more relevant issues facing the country.

Pratt stated that turning around the economy by addressing the various issues facing Ghanaians is more important.

Questioning the importance of a National Cathedral, the veteran journalist stated that his understanding of the Biblical representation of God does not support the argument for a Cathedral.

He expressed disappointment in President Mahama's resolve to revive conversations about the erection of a Cathedral, albeit at a different location.

Kwesi Pratt stated that some Ghanaians who voted for the president did so on the promise that the National Cathedral project would not be continued and that the new statement by President John Mahama is a betrayal of their trust.

"I was a bit disappointed when I heard those suggestions. People who opposed the Cathedral did not oppose it because it was being built in the Ridge area, so if you move it from the Ridge area to Abeka Lapaz or Kumasi or Tamale, it does not change the argument. His suggestion that in the future it will be built at a different place does not address the question, and I was very uncomfortable with that.

"It is important for President Mahama and all of us to know that we have a country in a very dire economic situation, so what we have to be worried about is our inability to provide decent houses to workers and so on. Those should be our concern rather than building a Cathedral and so on. We should urge that very strongly on the president.

"Even from a theological point of view, this whole Cathedral business does not sound proper. They claim that they have a God who created Heaven and Earth, and this God needs his creatures to build him a residence. This omnipotent God needs a residence, and his creation has to give him a residence," he said.

Addressing the gathering at the National Prayer and Thanksgiving Service, held as part of his inauguration at the auditorium of the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), on Sunday, January 12, 2025, President Mahama hinted at a possible change in the location of the National Cathedral.

He stated that the Christian community in Ghana would reconsider the project, including aspects such as its location and cost.

“On the future of the project — the Cathedral — I believe that all of us as Christians must forge a consensus on how to achieve such a project without recourse to public funds. This project must be realized at a reasonable cost.

“I believe that we can arrive at a more reasonable figure for achieving such a project, and together, we can raise the funding for it. Such reconsideration of the project might even include changing the current site that was chosen for it. I leave the rest to any future consultations we will have as the body of Christ,” he said.