Christians in Ghana have been called upon to regard the protection of the environment as a spiritual responsibility entrusted to humanity by God. This call was made during a sermon on the theme: “Nature: Life Source for All Inhabitants; The Galamsey Menace,” which focused on the Christian responsibility to protect Ghana’s natural resources and address the effects of illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
The sermon was delivered by Mr Emmanuel Ohene Atiemo, Tema North District Director of Church Life and Nurture (CLAN) of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG). He emphasized that nature, including air, water, forests, rivers, land, animals and minerals, was God’s gift to humanity and provided the resources necessary for human survival.
Mr Atiemo said human beings were dependent on nature for their daily existence and therefore had a responsibility to protect it. Quoting Genesis 1:26-28, he said God had made humanity stewards of creation and expected people to exercise responsible dominion over the natural resources entrusted to them.
The misuse and destruction of natural resources through activities such as illegal mining amounted to a failure to fulfil that responsibility, Mr Atiemo noted. He expressed concern about the deteriorating condition of some of Ghana’s rivers, including the Pra, Ankobra, Offin and Birim, saying activities that polluted water bodies had consequences beyond the communities where they occurred.
Mr Atiemo also highlighted the impact of forest destruction, saying the loss of vegetation affected ecosystems, wildlife and the ability of the environment to support human life. He noted that the destruction of forests through illegal mining raised concerns about what would be left for future generations.
The CLAN Director urged Christians to reject activities that destroyed the environment and refrain from supporting or financing illegal mining. He encouraged Christians to educate their families and communities on environmental responsibility, plant trees, dispose of waste properly and protect their immediate surroundings.
Mr Atiemo called for collective responsibility in the fight against illegal mining, saying the consequences of environmental degradation could affect the entire country. He urged Christians to embrace “stewardship over greed, preservation over destruction and responsibility over exploitation” to protect the environment for present and future generations.
Key points
- Christians in Ghana are being urged to view environmental protection as a spiritual duty.
- The call was made by Mr Emmanuel Ohene Atiemo, Tema North District Director of Church Life and Nurture (CLAN) of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG).
- The sermon was delivered on the theme: “Nature: Life Source for All Inhabitants; The Galamsey Menace.”
