Accra: Christians have been urged to regard the protection of the environment not only as an environmental responsibility but also as a spiritual duty entrusted to humanity by God. The 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.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr Emmanuel Ohene Atiemo, Tema North District Director of Church Life and Nurture (CLAN) of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG), made the call while preaching on 'Flower Sunday.' Mr Atiemo, who is also the Session Clerk of the PCG Redemption Congregation, Tema Community 9, 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 quoted Genesis 1:26-28, highlighting that God made humanity stewards of creation and expected people to exercise responsible dominion over the natural resources entrusted to them. He warned that the misuse and destruction of natural resources through activities such as illegal mining amounted to a failure to fulfill that responsibility. 'Caring for nature is not merely an environmental duty. It is a spiritual responsibility as well,' he stressed.
The CLAN Director expressed concern over the deteriorating condition of some of Ghana's rivers, including the Pra, Ankobra, Offin, and Birim, due to pollution. He noted that pollution in one area could affect communities relying on the interconnected water systems. Mr Atiemo also highlighted the impact of forest destruction, which affects ecosystems, wildlife, and the environment's ability to support human life, raising concerns about what would be left for future generations.
Mr Atiemo distinguished between regulated and illegal mining, emphasizing that responsible mining required measures to manage waste and prevent harmful substances from entering water bodies. He expressed concern about the use of mercury in mining, describing it as a toxic substance that could pose health risks. He urged Christians to reject activities that destroy the environment and refrain from supporting or financing illegal mining.
Encouraging Christians to educate their families and communities on environmental responsibility, Mr Atiemo advocated for tree planting, proper waste disposal, and protecting immediate surroundings. He called for greater support for afforestation and the restoration of degraded areas, stressing that environmental protection should not be seen as the responsibility of only those living around major rivers or in mining communities.
Mr Atiemo further urged Christians to pray for leaders, law-enforcement agencies, traditional authorities, and communities to manage the country's natural resources wisely. He noted that the fight against illegal mining required collective responsibility due to the far-reaching consequences of environmental degradation. Referring to Matthew 25:14-30, he emphasized that Christians would ultimately be accountable for managing the resources entrusted to them.
In conclusion, Mr Atiemo called on Christians to recognize the protection of nature as an integral part of their faith and responsibility to God, advocating for 'stewardship over greed, preservation over destruction, and responsibility over exploitation' to protect the environment for present and future generations.