By Hafsa Obeng, GNA
Accra, May 19, GNA – World Vision Ghana, in collaboration with the Federation of Muslim Council (FMC), has organised a workshop aimed at mobilising faith leaders to take active roles in addressing environmental degradation in the country.
The three-day Environmental World Vision (EWV)–Creation Care Workshop, brought together 40 Muslim leaders and representatives from communities in the Greater Accra and Central regions.
Participants include representatives from four Muslim sectarian groups, two Muslim associations, two Muslim non-governmental organisations, and senior Muslim leaders from the participating communities.
Speaking at the opening of the workshop, Reverend Benjamin Sarbah, Faith and Development Manager, World Vision Ghana, said environmental challenges such as illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, indiscriminate waste disposal and flooding continued to threaten livelihoods and the well-being of children.
He said although the government and other stakeholders were making efforts to tackle the situation, the contribution of faith communities had largely been overlooked.
“In Ghana, statistics show that about 70 per cent of the population are Christians and about 20 per cent are Muslims. This means nearly 90 per cent of Ghanaians belong to a faith community, making religious bodies a very influential force for social transformation,” he said.
Rev. Sarbah said faith leaders, including Pastors, lmams and Sheikhs, wielded significant influence over their congregations and could, therefore, play critical roles in promoting responsible environmental practices.
The workshop, he explained, would explore environmental issues through the lens of sacred scriptures and encourage faith-based action towards preserving God’s creation.
He expressed concern over indiscriminate dumping of refuse into gutters, which often resulted in flooding during heavy rains, especially in Accra.
“We believe caring for the environment is sacred and spiritual. It is not separate from the command God or Allah has given humanity,” Rev. Sarbah said.
“We must take pragmatic steps to complement government’s efforts in addressing these environmental challenges,” he added.
The Faith and Development Manager said a similar engagement had taken place with Christian groups about two years ago, leading to the development of a framework to guide churches on creation care initiatives.
He said the workshop was intended to bring Muslim leaders into the process to ensure a more holistic national faith response to environmental issues.
Rev. Sarbah said the long-term vision of the initiative was to equip children and families with practical knowledge on environmental cleanliness, proper waste management and stewardship of God’s creation.
The initiative also seeks to provide mosques and churches with theological understanding on environmental preservation in line with religious teachings.
Rev Sarbah urged participants not to allow the workshop to become “a mere talk shop,” but rather use the knowledge acquired to mobilise communities and advocate environmental responsibility.
He appealed to the public to support faith leaders who speak on environmental matters instead of criticising them.
He called on the public to take responsibility for protecting the environment, noting that the consequences of environmental neglect were already evident through recurring floods and other environmental challenges across the country.
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe
Reporter: Hafsa Obeng