Aps Prof Onyinah of PU Engages Heads of Churches on National Cathedral Project

Aps Prof  Opoku Onyinah, an academic at Pentecost University and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral, has begun engagements with leaders of various churches on the cathedral project. The three weeks engagement began on Monday 13th April 2021 with The Apostolic Church Ghana.

In the light of that, the respected theologian paid a working visit to the head offices of The Church of Pentecost and the Deeper Christian Life Bible Church, both in Accra on Friday 16th April 2021. The first meeting was with the Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, Aps. Eric Nyamekye and his top officers Aps. Ign. Alexander Kumi-Larbi (General Secretary) and Aps. Emmanuel Gyesi-Addo (International Missions Director).

The second dialogue took him to the National Overseer of the Deeper Christian Life Bible Church Ghana, Rev. Ps. Edward Duodu, and a senior minister Ps. Francis Ofori.

On both occasions, Aps. Onyinah explained the rationale of the visit and the prospects of the cathedral in national development. According to the renowned clergyman, “there were mixed feelings when the president announced the national cathedral project in 2017. That is why the Board of Trustees moved to engage leaders of churches for us to establish mutual understanding on the project.”

Aps Prof Onyinah, therefore, used the occasion to explain the vision and components of the project. He said, “my brothers in the Lord, the Cathedral is a multi-dimensional project which goes beyond religious fanfare.”  He added that its impact will spill over to the rest of Africa.

In itemizing a few of the components, the respected academic said the Cathedral will primarily serve as a point for national convergence and high-profile religious ceremonies. “But it goes beyond that and will be home to Biblical Garden, National Chaplaincy, youth resource center, religious concerts, research center, museum among.” … Aps Prof Onyinah added.

Throwing more light on a few of the components, he said the Cathedral will be a center for learning about the Church of Africa, the Bible of Africa, and the impact of the bible on science, education, governance, etc. “Most essentially, it will be a center for exploring, documenting, and disseminating  the contributions of Africans on the growth of Christianity; which is largely overlooked by western scholars.”

He also gave an update on the project which he said excavation works have been done. He, therefore, called on the leaders of the two churches to pray and support the project.

In his remark, the Chairman of the Church of Pentecost, Aps. Eric Nyamekye commended the Trustees for the initiative. He said “the Church is a major stakeholder in the Cathedral project, so the initiative to engage the various leaders is commendable” He also urged his predecessor and his team and church leaders who have been engaged “to intensify the engagement so that their members will own the project; and will not offer or hold back their support because of partisan dispositions.”

On his part, Ps. Edward Duodu of the Deeper Life Church thanked the Board members for their visit. He added that he did not know about the details of the project until the visit, and is now more convinced to support it in every way possible.

Aps. Prof Onyianah is a faculty member in the School of Theology, Mission, and Leadership of Pentecost University. He was appointed Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral in February 2021. He embarked on this engagement with the Member/Secretary of the Board Rev. Dr. Victor Boateng and Rev. Ebenezer Saka Ameyaw, the Head of Church Relations Unit.