Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia urged the religious leaders to join the effort and use their platforms to influence attitudes and behaviours towards illegalities that are detrimental to sustainable development and address the negative impact of climate change.
He said faith-based organisations, traditional Leaders, academia and civil society should use their pulpits, mosques, media channels and other platforms to speak against the destruction of God’s creation of the environment.
Vice President Dr Bawumia said this in a speech read on his behalf during an Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Ghana (E.P. Church) 11th annual General Assembly in Tamale, on the theme: “Care for God’s Creation, The Mission of the Church (Gen. 2:15, Rom. 8, John 15:16).”
The five-day event aimed to review the work of the General Assembly, discuss issues, make necessary decisions, form policies, and ensure discipline and conformity to rules and regulations that would guide the Church for the journey ahead until the next General Assembly in 2026.
It was also to find a purposeful agreement that would bind us to serve in a shared vision, mission and ministry.
The Vice President, Dr Bawumia, reiterated his unwavering commitment to protecting the environment, a promise he made when he was voted into power as the President.
“In that regard, l shall enhance the protection of our forest and biodiversity hot-spots and restore the forests through appropriate reforestation programmes”. He noted
He added that he would usher in a ‘Gold Age for Ghanaian-owned small-scale mining ‘, a period where responsible and sustainable small-scale mining would be promoted to ensure the protection of our environment and the creation of jobs, as part of measurement to address galamsey in the country.
The Vice President, Dr Bawumia, commended the Evangelical Presbyterian Church for its numerous development projects and programmes, acknowledging the significant impact the Church has made across the country.
He stated that “I shall, as President, accord Churches and other Faith-Based Organisations Development Partner Status with applicable concession and entitlement thereto.”
The Vice President, Dr Bawumia, earnestly appealed to the churches for their intercessory prayers, sermons, and engaging peaceful mediation talks. He emphasised the crucial role of the churches and their followers in upholding the country’s peace and democratic virtues during and after this year’s general election.
Rt. Rev. Dr. Lt. Col. Bliss Divine K. Agbeko (Rtd.) The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Ghana said the E.P. Church has been an instrument of both spiritual and physical guidance, growth, and development in the regions and countries since its inception.
He indicated that this year, 2024, marks 177 years of Ministerial presence and its work in the country.
He called on Christians to keep up their good works and to care for God’s Creation as good stewards by protecting the environment.
Rev. Dr Cyril Fayose, the General Secretary of the Christian Council of Ghana
I advised Christians to collaborate with the government to protect the country’s environmental resources and reduce the negative impact of climate change.
