Accra: A National Creation Care Framework has been launched to guide and equip churches to respond biblically and practically to issues of environmental sustainability. World Vision Ghana, in a collaborative effort with the Church of Pentecost, A Rocha, Challenge Enterprise and the Akrofi-Christaller Institute, birthed this new working document to empower churches to address climate change issues.
According to Ghana News Agency, the framework's launch also saw the first cohorts of faith leaders expand their theological knowledge to help them provide practical solutions to environmental degradation and climate change, with an emphasis on how these affect vulnerable children and communities. Speaking at the launch, Mr Jean-Claude Mukadi, National Director of World Vision Ghana, said the framework marked a historic moment for the church to lead in restoring God's creation.
'The National Creation Care Framework would serve as a guiding tool for churches and Christian organisations to integrate biblical principles on environmental stewardship, discipleship and ministry. It would provide practical pathways for the churches' engagement in climate action, ecological justice and sustainable development, especially among the most vulnerable children whom we are called to serve,' said Mr Mukadi. He emphasized that caring for God's creation was a core mandate of humans, as stated in Genesis 2:15, to keep the earth as an act of worship and obedience to the Creator.
Apostle Eric Nyamekye, in a speech read on his behalf, stated that the restoration of God's creation to its original nature was part of the Church's missionary responsibility. He highlighted the record-high environmental degradation, including the massive depletion of forests and pollution of water bodies, as a call to action for Christians to re-examine their mission mandate regarding creation care.
Rev. Prof. Ebenezer Yaw Blasu, a lecturer at the Akrofi-Christaller Institute of Theology, mentioned that the idea to develop this document was aimed at coordinating the activities of various Christian institutions to combat climate change. He noted that the framework was developed from an African perspective to equip the church in training the younger generation on climate change issues.
The launch of the National Creation Care Framework, on the theme 'A Call to Action: The Church in Creation,' was attended by various denominational heads, representatives of the Christian Council, and the Environmental Protection Agency, among others.
