Church must champion national cleanliness — Minister
The Christian Council of Ghana (CCG), in collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, has launched the 2026 Christian Home Week celebrations, with a call on Christians to take the lead in promoting environmental cleanliness as a national responsibility.
This year’s celebration is expected to be marked by activities aimed at deepening awareness and action on environmental issues.
These include discussions on Ghana’s environmental sanitation policies and laws, biblical perspectives on environmental stewardship, the impact of illegal mining, and practical approaches to environmental conservation.
Other highlights of the programme are expected to focus on the consequences of environmental neglect, the benefits of preserving nature, and a thanksgiving service.
The launch, held in Accra on Thursday, featured the unveiling of a study book titled: ‘A Clean Environment, Our Responsibility,’ and the introduction of two initiatives: the Environmental Care and Cleanliness Programme (ECC) and the National Volunteers Programme (NAVOP).
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mr Ibrahim Ahmed, described the church as one of the most transformative forces in Ghana’s history and urged it to play a leading role in building a clean, disciplined and prosperous society.
He stated that environmental stewardship was both a spiritual and civic duty, rooted in scripture’s call for humanity to care for the earth.
According to him, with more than 70 per cent of Ghanaians identified as Christians, the church held significant influence to drive positive behavioural change.
He, therefore, encouraged churches nationwide to mobilise their congregations to actively participate in the National Sanitation Day, observed on the first Saturday of every month.
The Chief of Staff at the Presidency, Mr Julius Debrah, commended the Council for its renewed commitment to national development and described the environmental campaign as timely and impactful.
He expressed satisfaction with its expanding initiatives, including environmental care, volunteerism, educational materials, and its memorandum of understanding with the Ministry.
Mr Debrah also highlighted the Council’s longstanding contributions since its establishment in 1929, noting that it had played key roles in education, healthcare delivery, governance and peace-building.
The Chairman of the occasion and Member of Parliament for Assin South, Reverend John Ntim Fordjour, called for urgent and collective action to safeguard the environment.
He described environmental stewardship as a sacred responsibility and praised the Council for moving beyond rhetoric to practical interventions.
Rev. Ntim Fordjour pointed to pressing national challenges such as illegal mining, flooding, and public health concerns, including cholera and malaria, and urged government, religious bodies, traditional authorities and citizens to act decisively.
The General Secretary of the Christian Council of Ghana, Reverend (Dr) Cyril Fayose, urged Ghanaians to embrace environmental care as a shared civic and spiritual duty.
He underscored the importance of ECC and NAVOP in mobilising citizens, particularly the youth, and stressed that responsible policies, volunteerism, education and community engagement were essential to sustaining development and building a cleaner and more resilient nation.
BY EUGENE AMPIAW
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