Religious bodies launch climate change initiative

Accra, July 21, GNA - Reverend Dr. Fred Deegbe, General Secretary of Christian Council of Ghana, on Wednesday launched Religious Bodies Network on Climate Change (RELBONET) in Accra.

He said issues on climate change had not only become topical globally but also an essential cross-cutting issue affecting all facets of human life including governance.

According to Rev. Deegbe, although the government might be in the forefront of addressing the concerns of climate change in the country, Faith Based Institutions needed to complement government's efforts by reaching a wider section of the population especially those at the grassroots.

Right-Reverend Francis Amenu, Moderator of Evangelical Presbyterian Church, said as religious bodies, their main objective was to assist the poor and marginalised in society and also take good care of the people.

He said religious bodies were obliged to undertake drastic and durable measures to prevent environmental degradation and restore nature to its pristine state and value for future generations.

Right-Rev. Amenu said religious bodies needed to assist government and other social development partners to work diligently to ease the negative effects of climate change on the people.

Ms. Sherry Ayittey, Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, said government was committed to confront environmental challenges posed by climate change.

She noted that efforts by the religious bodies would complement government's efforts to realise its climate change interventions.

Ms. Ayittey said government would support climate change activities being undertaken by the religious bodies at all levels.