The Catholic Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra, Most Rev. John Bonaventure Kwofie, has urged Ghanaians to actively defend the environment and oppose practices that destroy the country's natural resources. He made the call during a pastoral visit to the St Francis of Assisi Catholic Community at Tseaddo, where he also confirmed 24 people into the Catholic faith. The Archbishop emphasized the importance of protecting the environment, citing the destruction of water bodies and arable land as serious risks to human life.
Archbishop Kwofie reflected on the life of St Francis, whose deep respect for creation should serve as a model for Christians. He referred to St Francis' Canticle of the Sun, which describes the earth as mother, the sun as brother, and the moon as sister, illustrating the spiritual connection between humanity and creation. The Archbishop stressed that commitment to the Christian faith must translate into action, urging the faithful to embrace generosity and support efforts that benefit their community.
The Archbishop's call comes as Ghana continues to grapple with environmental degradation, including the effects of illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey. He urged members of the St Francis community to see environmental protection as part of their Christian responsibility. "If you attend the Church of Saint Francis of Assisi, you want to be a lover of the environment. You stand against injustice done to the environment," he told the congregation.
The St Francis community itself is working to secure land for a permanent place of worship after years of relying on temporary structures. The community's chairperson, Emmanuel Ani Acquah, told the Archbishop that its eight-year journey had been sustained by the sacrifices of members, priests, and a host family that had provided support to the church. He described the Archbishop's visit as an important milestone but stressed that the community still had work to do.
Emmanuel Ani Acquah said the lack of a permanent structure had created difficulties, particularly during the rainy season. "Worshipping under canopies leaves us at the mercy of the weather. During this year's rainy season, we missed Sunday Mass for three consecutive weeks," Mr Acquah said. He thanked Archbishop Kwofie for the pastoral visit, describing his presence as a sign that the community's prayers and efforts had been recognised.
Archbishop Kwofie encouraged the faithful to respond to life's challenges with prayer and trust rather than fear. He urged them to allow truth, honour, purity, and justice to guide their conduct while rejecting falsehood. The Archbishop's call for stronger action against environmental injustice comes as Ghana faces serious environmental challenges, including the pollution of water bodies and degradation of arable land.
The environmental destruction witnessed across Ghana poses serious risks to human life and should concern everyone. Archbishop Kwofie's message emphasizes the need for collective action to protect the environment and ensure a sustainable future for Ghana. Key stakeholders, including government agencies, civil society organizations, and individuals, must work together to address the country's environmental challenges.
Key points
- Archbishop John Bonaventure Kwofie calls for stronger action against environmental injustice in Ghana
- The destruction of the environment has consequences that extend beyond the loss of natural resources
- The St Francis community is working to secure land for a permanent place of worship after years of relying on temporary structures
