Christians must protect and preserve the environment as part of their God-given responsibility, Mr Emmanuel Ohene Atiemo, Chairman of the Development and Social Services of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Redemption Congregation, Tema, has said.
Speaking during the church’s Health Week celebration on the theme “Celebrating Our Heritage: Persisting in Mission, Promoting Healthy Lifestyle and Sustainable Environment”, Mr Atiemo stressed that creation was God’s gift and believers were stewards of it.
He urged Christians to promote environmental awareness, adopt sustainable practices such as tree planting, wetland preservation, and proper waste disposal, and avoid actions that harm nature, including open burning and indiscriminate plastic use.
Mr Atiemo said environmental degradation contributed to diseases like cholera, dysentery, typhoid, and hepatitis A, noting that about 80 per cent of out-patient cases were linked to poor sanitation and pollution.
He called for unity in addressing environmental challenges such as illegal mining, deforestation, land degradation, and climate change.