Accra: The Catholic Church in Ghana has stepped forward as a strong voice in the fight against environmental degradation, urging communities to rediscover their sacred duty to protect creation. Through catechesis, liturgical celebrations, and grassroots mobilization, Church leaders are integrating environmental stewardship into the spiritual life of the faithful.
Parishes and dioceses across the country have begun weaving environmental education into sermons, catechism classes, and Church group activities, while also participating in national and international observances dedicated to ecological care. Priests are offering Masses for special intentions such as prayers during drought, at harvest time, or for the sanctification of human labour making care for the earth not just a social concern but a liturgical reality.
“The environment is our shared heritage, a gift entrusted to us by God. Its protection is not optional, but part of our Christian vocation,” emphasized one catechist during a recent gathering.
The urgency of the Church’s call is underscored by the worsening ecological crisis in Ghana. The Afram Plains in the Eastern Region, once a fertile cocoa-growing area, have been left barren due to rampant bushfires and the indiscriminate felling of trees for timber and charcoal.
“The entire Afram Plains area, which used to be a thriving Cocoa-growing zone, is now depleted of its forest cover and economic trees, affecting rainfall patterns and causing untold hardship to inhabitants who rely on rain-fed farming,” lamented Bishop John Alphonse Asiedu, Apostolic Vicar of Donkorkrom.
The consequences are being felt by peasant farmers, whose livelihoods are threatened by erratic weather and declining soil fertility, leaving communities more vulnerable to hunger and poverty.
Recognizing the depth of the problem, the 2025 National Catechists Conference in Donkorkrom was dedicated to the theme: “Our Call to Care for the Environment: A Divinely Assigned Responsibility.” The same theme guided this year’s Catechetical Week, underlining the bishops’ determination to make environmental protection a central part of Catholic teaching and witness.
Catechists were encouraged to not only pass on the faith but also to integrate messages of ecological responsibility into their teaching, shaping a new generation of believers who understand that caring for the earth is inseparable from living the Gospel.
The Ghanaian bishops are inviting communities to view nature through a spiritual lens, recognizing it as a reflection of God’s providence. By celebrating Masses for creation, food security, and human labour, the Church is embedding ecological consciousness into the rhythm of worship and daily life.
“Our task is to rekindle hope in our people that the land can be healed, that families can live in harmony with nature, and that faith must inspire responsible stewardship,” Bishop Asiedu stressed.
The Church’s initiative reflects Pope Francis’ global call in Laudato Si’ to care for “our common home.” In Ghana, it has become a rallying cry for both spiritual renewal and practical action. By restoring the environment, protecting forests, and advocating for sustainable farming practices, the Church hopes to help rebuild the natural wealth of the nation while safeguarding the future of its people.
As celebrations, prayers, and conferences continue, the Catholic Church in Ghana remains committed to leading by example reminding the faithful that creation care is not just an ecological necessity but a divine responsibility woven into Christian life.