The Managing Editor of the Insight Newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr, has weighed in on President John Dramani Mahama’s recent ministerial reshuffle, explaining why some people allegedly wanted the Member of Parliament for Banda, Ahmed Ibrahim out of government.
Speaking during a panel discussion on Peace FM’s Kokrokoo on August 14, 2026, Kwesi Pratt said he foresaw the President’s decision to reshuffle some ministers following the deaths of two former ministers in a year’s interval, in keeping with the customs and traditions of the country.
He explained that Ahmed Ibrahim, who serves as the Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs and has now been moved to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources, had been a target of people who wanted him removed from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government.
According to Kwesi Pratt, comments made by Ahmed Ibrahim regarding the controversial National Cathedral project contributed to the calls for his removal.
He said the issue became particularly contentious during the 2024 general elections, when the National Cathedral was a major subject of public debate.
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“The Local Government Minister who has been sent to the Works, Housing and Water Resources Ministry recently said that the NDC government would build the National Cathedral and that those who opposed it would face his resistance.
“Because of that comment, a lot of people did not want him. The Cathedral was a key issue during the heat of the 2024 elections. For a long time, people wanted him out of government but he was not sacked. Instead, he was moved to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources, where he has no business with the Cathedral,” he said.
It may be recalled that Ahmed Ibrahim had previously stated that he would support the construction of a National Cathedral if he had the financial means to do so.
The Banda MP also expressed regret over the intense criticism of the National Cathedral project under the previous administration, arguing that the controversy had overshadowed its potential benefits.
Speaking in an interview on Adom TV on April 2, 2025, Ahmed Ibrahim said he personally supports religious institutions and has consistently assisted churches in his constituency.
“You see, the National Cathedral, we demonised it to the point that even if something good was to come out of it, you couldn’t say it,” he remarked.
He acknowledged that the project had a problematic start but urged the public to await the outcome of an ongoing audit before reaching conclusions about the project.
“The start was also problematic. You see, certain things outrun others. So, let us wait for the auditing report,” he said.
Sharing his personal view, Ahmed Ibrahim added: “If I had my own money, I could build a National Cathedral for the state.”
“I am an elder, and if you go to my constituency, I use my own money to support churches, almost all churches in my constituency,” he stated.
The National Cathedral project was initiated under former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s administration, remains incomplete and is currently subject to an audit to account for expenditures and assess the progress of the project.
Source: Ghanaweb
