By Emmanuel Nyatsikor
Ho, Sept. 30, GNA – Reverend Richard Mawutor Buamah, an Environmental Analyst said the pulpit should not be used for spiritual nourishment alone but also for addressing societal issues that negatively affected the people.
“Let us use the pulpit to address social, moral and environmental issues that affect our congregants,” he advised.
Rev. Buamah who is also the Klefe District Pastor of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana in the Volta region gave the advice in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Ho.
He urged Pastors and other religious leaders to use the pulpit to fearlessly preach against the menace of illegal mining known in the Ghanaian parlance as “galamsey” which was affecting the country.
“Galamsey which permeated almost every corner of the country, is causing havoc not only to the environment but also the health of all of us,” he lamented.
The Environmental Analyst reminded Pastors that whilst it might be tempting to focus solely on spiritual matters, “we should not forget that we are called to be stewards of God’s creation and advocates of justice.”.
He intimated that galamsey was a direct affront to these responsibilities.
Rev. Buamah said Pastors and religious leaders held unique and powerful positions in their communities and entreated them to use the pulpit to educate and inspire action against the canker.
He reminded them that the Bible offered numerous teachings about the importance of caring for the environment and upholding justice.
“Destroying forests, polluting rivers and degrading of the soil are in direct opposition to our divine mandate,” he noted.
Rev. Buamah admitted that combating the menace of galamsey required a unified effort and urged chiefs to also use their influence and position to promote behavioral change.
He appealed to them to collaborate with government and religious leaders to implement sustainable land use practices, proper waste management and clean water initiatives and foster a culture of responsibility and health-conscious living.
He stated that beyond enforcing policies, government should collaborate with communities to address public health risks.
Rev. Buamah appealed to Christians to support initiatives that promote responsible mining, safe environmental practices, and public health advocacy.
He noted that behavioural change required consistent advocacy for environmental stewardship.
Rev. Buamah said through sermons and educational programmes on the dangers of galamsey, religious leaders could guide their congregations towards healthier and more environmentally conscious living.
He urged the government to help create alternative sustainable livelihood for people in galamsey prone areas.
GNA