The Reverend Professor Ebenezer Yaw Blasu, Director of the Allison M. Howell Centre for Religion, Environment, Science and Development, has called on interfaith women to champion environmental conservation. He emphasized that women's nurturing and protective roles uniquely position them to promote environmental care, drawing inspiration from biblical, Quranic, and traditional religious teachings. This appeal was made at the Faith to Action Women's Conference in Accra, themed "Women, Climate Justice and Sustainable Peace."
The conference, organized by the Centre for Interfaith Studies and Engagement in Africa, brought together women from Muslim, Christian, and traditional leadership to discuss eco-friendly income-generating activities. Rev. Prof. Blasu highlighted that environmental conservation can provide economic opportunities, such as converting coconut husks and organic waste into briquettes or processing them into manure for vegetable farming. He cited his wife's practice of using homemade manure to grow onions, tomatoes, and pepper as an example.
The Faith to Action Women's Conference is an annual event aimed at inspiring and empowering women to transform their religious beliefs into action for peace and development. Rev. Prof. Blasu urged the women to see environmental stewardship not only as a responsibility but also as an opportunity to protect the environment, improve livelihoods, and contribute to sustainable development. He emphasized the importance of women's involvement in environmental conservation and sustainable livelihoods.
Mrs. Benedicta Kwakye, Wife of the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, stressed that women's voices and leadership must be integrated into decision-making on climate change, food security, land, water, and local development. She noted that climate change directly impacts households and communities, particularly women who often bear the greatest burden when resources become scarce.
Mrs. Kwakye, the Special Guest of Honour, emphasized that Christian, Muslim, and traditional teachings value responsible stewardship, care, balance, and avoidance of waste. She urged participants to begin with three actions: listen, make room, and act together. This approach would involve listening to women from various backgrounds, including farmers, traders, and women with disabilities, and involving them in decision-making processes.
The conference aimed to inspire women to take practical approaches to environmentally friendly income-generating activities and provide guidance on sustainable livelihoods. Rev. Prof. Blasu and Mrs. Kwakye emphasized the importance of collaboration and integration of women's voices in decision-making processes to promote climate justice and sustainable peace.
The event, held on October 7, 2026, in Accra, brought together women from diverse backgrounds to discuss climate justice and sustainable peace. Key outcomes included the recognition of women's roles in environmental conservation and the need for their involvement in decision-making processes to address climate change and promote sustainable development.
Key points
- Women's nurturing roles uniquely position them to promote environmental care and conservation.
- Environmental conservation can provide economic opportunities through sustainable livelihoods and eco-friendly activities.
- Women's voices and leadership must be integrated into decision-making on climate change and sustainable development.
