By Stephen Asante, GNA
Accra, Nov. 12, GNA – The Right Reverend Emmanuel Borlabi Bortey a Minister of the Methodist Church Ghana (MCG) has proposed sustainable remedies devoid of partisan politics to halt the rate at which the ecology and biodiversity were being destroyed.
He said everybody was at risk from the multiplying effects of the current destruction of the country’s environment, particularly due to illegal mining (Galamsey).
“Everywhere, people are just digging with impunity because they are looking for gold.
Our rivers are being polluted, our forests are depleted, and our soils are being contaminated with dangerous chemicals,” he lamented.
Rt Rev Borlabi Bortey, the former Accra Wesley Diocesan Bishop was speaking at the Third Stephen-Odunton-Armar Memorial Lecture, organised by the Accra Wesley Cathedral of the Methodist Church Ghana (MCG), in Accra.
He was speaking on the topic: “Walking in the Word: A Call to Serve the People”, in Accra.
He said environmental protection was divine as it was a godly commission which should not be breached.
“In God’s will, we have a responsibility for the upkeep of the earth,” he noted.
Rt. Rev. Borlabi Bortey warned of dire future consequences for the nation, citing the rate at which some individuals were degrading the environment for material expediency.
“Our young people are on the rampage to make money from ‘Galamsey’ at the expense of human life,” he emphasised.
The former Diocesan Bishop said it imperative that the people learnt to be good stewards of the environment, urging a non-partisan approach to address the issue.
“How can we also as Church help our young people who are desperate to make a living?
How best can we stem this threat which threatens our overall wellbeing as a nation?” he asked.
The Lecture was organised to honour the memory of the Most Rev Jacob Stephens, former President of the Methodist Conference, Mr Joseph Odunton, first Ghanaian Director of the Information Service, and Dr Augustus Armar, a gynaecologist, and co-founder of the Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG).
It was designed to acknowledge their leadership, sacrifices, and stewardship in the Church, and national life in general.
GNA
Edited by Linda Asante Agyei
Reporter: Stephen Asante
Email: [email protected]