By Patrick Ofoe Nudzi
Accra, Nov. 12, GNA – A Rocha Ghana (ARG) in partnership with the Akrofi-Christaller Institute of Theology, Mission and Culture (ACI) has initiated a programme to teach and inspire future clergy and church leaders to care for the natural environment.
The programme dubbed “Creation Care Theological Education Programme,” was targeted at providing support and creating awareness to enhance the knowledge of creation care studies and its practice in an African context.
It was also to get every faction of society actively involved in reducing the risks of ecological damages to ensure the environment was protected and conserved for posterity.
Dr. Seth Appiah-Kubi, ARG’s National Director, speaking at the launch of the programme at Akropong, in the Eastern Region, said Christians needed to be fully involved in the care for the environment as it formed the basis of Christianity.
He said God’s initial role given to man was, “tendering, sustaining and keeping the beautiful creation that He made.”
Dr. Appiah-Kubi said the programme would demonstrate the need to create a sustainable environment by taking on practical interventions that would save important ecosystems, ecological places and species.
Rev. Prof. B. Y. Quarshie, Rector of the Akrofi-Christaller Institute called for more commitment from the Christian fraternity to help curtail the destruction eroding the environment.
Prof Quarshie said many who professed to be Christians were the same people involved in “galamsey” and other environmentally destructive activities.
“Those of us who claim to appreciate what it means to be a new creation in Jesus Christ cannot run away from our responsibility towards creation. If you have faith in Jesus Christ, it’s your responsibility to take care of the environment,” he said.
The Rector said he was positive that the partnership would pursue the sustenance of God’s creation and educate the members on the right way to treat the environment.
He called on various religious institutions to come on board to save the world.
The programme launch also featured an inaugural symposium which gave an in-depth view on how to build creation care in the African Church with a focus on the Process,
The Creation Care Theological Education Programme is expected to last as long as commitment from both partners remained unwavering.
Aside the implementation of certificate programmes on Christian eco-mission, the curriculum is expected to enhance creation care teaching and learning through seminars, workshops, and public lectures.
The programme has already seen some students awarded with scholarship opportunities for the Christian African Creation Care Studies.
Certificate courses under this programme are open to church leaders, pastors and seminarians while workshops, seminars and public lectures are opened to all interested parties.
The launch was marked with a tree planting exercise at the ACI premises.
GNA