The Co-convener of the National Creation Care Conference - World Vision, Reverend Dr. Ebenezer Yaw Blasu, has called on Churches to integrate creation care into their respective sermons.
He equally urged the churches to focus on Bible studies, and specialised teachings, fostering a deeper connection between faith, environmental responsibility, and reverence for God.
Creation care he explained, comprises the practices or actions that ensure the integrity of the Earth as the creator himself does it.
The Integrity of the Earth he said is the sustained harmony in all the main relationships on Earth-religious relationship with God, psychological relationship with human-self, social relationships with other humans, environmental relationship with other-than-human creatures, and ecological relationships.
Rev. Blasu stated this at a day's media dialogue on environmental sustainability and climate action in Accra on Tuesday, December 17, 2024.
The dialogue which was under the theme "The Church and Creation Care: The role of the media in Inspiring Environmental Responsibility in Ghana" was aimed at enhancing media collaboration, raising awareness about creation care, and developing innovative strategies to engage communities in addressing environmental challenges.
The dialogue brought together about 40 participants, including media practitioners, church representatives and environmental advocates.
It was organised by the World Vision Ghana's Faith and Development Unit.
Keynote Address
Rev. Blasu underscored the urgent need for collective action to preserve the environment.
"Creation care calls us to rethink our responsibility towards environmental sustainability," Rev. Blasu stated.
He emphasised the significance of respecting environmental preservation practices, including adherence to cultural norms and taboos that protect ecosystems.
Rev. Blasu urged individuals to take small but impactful actions, saying, "wherever you are, you must make a difference, brighten your corner, discipline yourself, don’t litter, and train the younger generation to embrace these habits."
The Faith Development Coordinator of World Vision Ghana, Mr George Matey Okorley stated that churches have content creation and dissemination capacity hence can develop compelling and informative content on creation care campaign.
"Let's leverage on social media platforms, official websites and online blogs to share engaging content and promote dialogue around the creation care initiative" he said.
Mr Okorley advised churches and media outlets to increase media coverage on creation care and climate positive publicity while training pastors in creation care at the seminary.
"Covert African religious eco-taboos to Christ and abide by them, advocate for political will to enforce environmental laws and actions in order to turn our shared commitment into actionable solutions for a greener, healthier, and sustainable future," he said.
World Vision
World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organisation dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice.
