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 deal with the issues of climate change.

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 launch of the framework marked a historic moment for the church to lead boldly 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 added 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.

“Climate change and environmental degradation are not just scientific and political issues but are deeply spiritual and moral concerns, and the launch of a framework would make the church a crucial partner in replenishing the earth,” he said.

Apostle Eric Nyamekye, in a speech read on his behalf, said the restoration of God’s creation to its original nature was part of the Church’s missionary responsibility.

“Environmental degradation has seen its record high in human history, especially if you consider the massive depletion of the forest, pollution of water bodies and surging irresponsible human behaviour towards God’s creation,” he said.

Apostle Nyamekye said this environmental challenge then aroused the need for a call to action for Christians to re-examine their mission mandate regarding creation care.

“This places a responsibility on us humans, a body of Christ, to adopt pragmatic approaches to maintain and sustain the environment. It is a clarion call to us to awaken reason in our roles as stewards of God’s creation,” he said.

Rev. Prof. Ebenezer Yaw Blasu, a lecturer at the Akrofi-Christaller Institute of Theology, said the idea to come together to develop this document was aimed at coordinating the activities being done by various Christian institutions to combat issues of climate change.

He said the framework was developed from an African perspective so that the church would be well-equipped in training the younger generation on issues relating to climate change.

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.