In a world increasingly beset by the devastating impacts of climate change, pollution, and environmental degradation, one question echoes in the hearts of many: What is the role of the Church in all of this?
For Ghanaian Christians, it is time to ask ourselves a deeper, more urgent question: Are we truly aware of our responsibility for creation care, and why should it matter to us, especially in the Church?
The Bible speaks clearly about God’s creation and the stewardship He entrusts to humanity. From the very beginning, when God created the heavens and the earth, He gave mankind dominion over His creation—not to exploit it, but to care for it, to nurture it, and to protect it.
Genesis 2:15 tells us, “The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.”
This divine mandate has not expired. It remains as relevant today as it was in the Garden of Eden, when God looked upon His creation and declared it “very good” (Genesis 1:31).
But today, our world groans under the weight of neglect and exploitation. Forests are being destroyed at an alarming rate, waters polluted, and air thickened with smog.
Ghana, with its lush landscapes and vibrant ecosystems, is no stranger to these challenges. Our rivers are contaminated, forests are vanishing, and coastal communities are suffering the effects of rising sea levels.
Yet, the Church, which should be a powerful voice for justice and righteousness, has often been silent on the issue of creation care. This silence is deafening.
A Call to Pastors: Shepherds of Souls, Stewards of Creation
Pastors, the call is now upon you. You are the spiritual leaders guiding the souls of our congregations.
But your responsibility goes beyond guiding people to salvation; it also includes guiding them to the understanding that creation care is not just an environmental issue—it is a moral and spiritual issue.
The neglect of creation reflects a deeper neglect of the Creator.
Jesus Himself often used the natural world to teach spiritual truths. He spoke of the lilies of the field, which neither toil nor spin, yet are beautifully clothed by God (Matthew 6:28-30).
He pointed to the sparrow, which is not forgotten by God (Matthew 10:29). Through these examples, Jesus shows us that God cares for creation—every leaf, every creature, every breath of air. So, should we not also care?
In Romans 8:19-22, Paul writes, “For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.
For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.”
Creation is suffering because of human sin—our greed, our disregard, our exploitation. But creation is also waiting for us to rise to our rightful place as stewards of God’s good earth.
The Church Must Take Action
For too long, many Christians have separated the message of salvation from the message of creation care.
But the two are not mutually exclusive. Our faith calls us to love our neighbours, and “the earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it” (Psalm 24:1). Loving our neighbours means protecting the environment that sustains their livelihoods—our children’s future, our farmers’ crops, and our communities’ health depend on it.
It’s time for pastors to take the message of creation care from the pulpit and into the hearts of every believer.
It’s time to preach not only about spiritual salvation but about the call to tend and care for the earth as stewards of God’s creation.
It is not enough to talk about the Good News without addressing the real and tangible concerns of the world around us.
Creation Care: A Biblical Mandate
The Bible is clear: God’s creation is precious. In the very first chapter of Genesis, God entrusts humanity with the responsibility to fill the earth, subdue it, and take dominion over all living things (Genesis 1:28).
This dominion is not a license for destruction; it is a charge for responsible stewardship.
God created the world for good, and He gave us the responsibility to protect that good.
Jesus Himself demonstrated care for creation. He performed miracles such as calming storms (Mark 4:39), feeding the multitudes with loaves and fish (John 6:11), and teaching
His disciples about the value of the birds of the air and the flowers of the field. Creation was never to be taken for granted. It was to be cherished, cared for, and protected.
The Psalmist echoes this in Psalm 104, where he praises God for His wonderful creation: “How many are your works, Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.” If God is so deeply invested in His creation, how can we, as His image-bearers, do any less?
A Cry for Change: The Urgency of Creation Care in Ghana
Ghana is at a crossroads. From the dense forests of the Volta Region to the coastal plains of the Western Region, the environment is under threat.
Yet, as Christians, we cannot ignore that climate change, pollution, and deforestation disproportionately affect the most vulnerable in society—many of whom live in poverty and depend on the land for their survival.
In light of this, we must ask ourselves: How can we, as the body of Christ in Ghana, continue to ignore the state of the environment when it is so intricately connected to the well-being of our brothers and sisters?
Creation care is not a peripheral issue; it is a biblical imperative. The health of our planet is inextricably linked to the health of humanity.
It is time for a radical shift—a shift in how we view our responsibility toward the environment, a shift in how we preach and teach about creation, and a shift in how we, as the Church, act in defense of God’s creation.
A Call to Action
To all Ghanaian Christians, and especially to our pastors: Let this be the moment we awaken to the full scope of our calling as stewards of creation.
Let us commit, individually and collectively, to care for the earth, not just for the sake of the environment, but for the sake of those who will inherit it.
Let us teach our children the beauty of the earth and the importance of preserving it. Let us support policies that promote environmental justice.
Let us repent of our neglect and begin again in faithful stewardship.
Creation is crying out for restoration. Will we, as the Church, answer that call?
“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.” (Psalm 24:1) Let us live as though we truly believe that.
About the author:
Kodwo Mensah Aboroampa (Amos Kwofie) is a journalist with Multimedia Group Limited, an education enthusiast, and a development communication advocate.