Reverend Chief Superintendent of Prisons (CSP) George Akuamuah-Boateng (rtd), Moderator of the Ho East Presbytery of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana (EPCG) Friday reminded Christians to speak out against the on-going destruction and degradation of the country’s environment.
“Let us speak out wherever we are against the plundering of the environment under the guise of development,” he advised.
Rev. CSP Akuamuah-Boateng gave the advice in his welcome address at the 15th Synod of the Presbytery at Abutia Teti in the Ho West District.
The three-day Synod is on the theme: “Care for creation: the task and mission of the Church.”
It is being attended by executives of the Presbytery, all Pastors, representatives of Catechists, Presbyters, Treasurers, Church groups and heads of the Church’s institutions in the Presbytery.
Rev. CSP Akuamuah-Boateng noted that the Church could act as a powerful advocate for environmental protection and justice “speaking out against environmental degradation and advocating for policies that promote sustainability.”
He said the Church had a unique role in promoting creation care by mobilizing her members, resources and networks to address environmental issues and promote sustainable practices.
The Synod Moderator stated that God’s gifts to mankind were designed to renew the environment rather than to deplete it.
“Christians are called to be sincere stewards of the earth, entrusted with its care and conservation which extends to all aspects of creation, including our relationships and well-being of all people.
“Our God-given dominion should be seen as a sacred duty and not as a license to abuse the creation of which we are part,” he stressed.
He said the acts of polluting and defiling the ecosystem was a clear sin in the sight of God and also threatening the quality of life now and that of the future generation.
Rev. CSP Akuamuah-Boateng entreated all Christians as agents of God’s kingdom they should bear fruits of advocacy for God’s creation.
He informed the delegates that the fence wall being built around the Presbytery Secretariat was about 60 percent complete and urged them to pull their resources together to enable it to be completed to ward off criminals from intruding into the Secretariat.
Mr. Francis Profer Dusey, Ho West District Chief Executive, said the theme chosen by the Church would not be a mere slogan but action oriented.
There were fraternal greetings from sister churches, heads of the Church’s Second cycle institutions and traditional authorities.
As a side attraction, there was a colourful display and hoisting of flags by the Boys and Girls Brigade from the Ho Bankoe Elorm Parish of the Church.
Present was Rt. Rev. Dr. Lt. Col. Bliss Divine Agbeko, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church.
The Synod will end with a thanksgiving service on Sunday.