Features
Christians’ role in environmental protection crucial
• Negative practices are destroying the environment
The environment is key to the survival and wellbeing of people as it provides wide-range benefits, such as air, food and water as well as many resources or materials needed for use in homes, work places and for development.
These notwithstanding, negative practices such as pollution, poor farming practices, burning of fossil fuels and deforestation, have resulted in climate change, soil erosion, poor quality of air and water and environmental degradation.
The harmful impact of the destruction of the environment is not restricted to various communities. It affects the entire country, human behaviour, and prompts mass migration and conflict over clean water and food.
Africa, including Ghana, incidentally is the poorest continent, but paradoxically the most endowed with natural resources. This is partly because of the improper management of resources and environment.
What an irony? According to the United Nation Environment Programme (UNEP), Africa has 40 percent of the world’s gold and up to 90 percent of its chromium and platinum.
The continent is endowed with the largest reserves of cobalt, diamond, platinum and uranium in the world. Africa has 65 per cent of the world’s arable land and ten percent of renewable fresh water source.
The ecology of Africa can be factored into the development of the continent. Enviably, for instance, Ghana is located at the center of the world and the Equator and Greenwich meridian pass through the country.
The Gulf of Guinea lies at the coastline of Ghana. These are great assets that must consciously be included in the development agenda of the nation, including environmental protection measures.
The wildlife, vegetation and landscape of Ghana, particularly offer resources for the promotion of development. All that is needed is judicious use and protection of the environment.
Africa for that matter Ghana has become the “clean” plate, as Europe and the Americas have hit the bottom of the rock. Almost every development, advancement and inventions have been pursued already.
Africa as “clean plate” must learn from advanced nation’s mistakes and create simple livelihood and alternative development modules, to protect the environment.
Certainly, God has blessed Africa with enormous resources to enable the people acquire basic needs, including water, food and shelter. This means that humans were created to be wealth and prosperous.
Africa is most blessed in terms of natural resources and human capital and some scholars argue that the continent is the mother of all other continents.
Ghana for example is endowed with numerous natural resources like gold, diamond, bauxite and even oil to mention a few.
But, systems operated by human beings have always neglected God in the running and management of the environment and resources.
The search for effective solutions to environmental challenges will continue. Individuals, opinion leaders, non-governmental organisations (NGO), governments and international bodies, have not relented efforts at conserving nature.
Though religious bodies have not been left out of the effort to protect the environment, the time has come for Churches or Christians to intensify their determination to obey God’s commandment about nature.
Already, many Christians, agree that God commands human beings to care for nature, which explains why some churches participate in tree planting, clean ups, education of the congregation and public on the need for environmental conservation for sustainable development.
Indeed, Christians accept environmental protection as a religious obligation. God has clearly ordered humanity to be responsible for the environment, when in Genesis 2:15, he says “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” Christians believe that all created things belong to God and that they are accountable to Him as stewards of creation.
Additionally, God has commissioned Christians to rule over creation in a way that would sustain, protect and enhance His works so that all creation may fulfill the purposes God intended for it. Humanity is expected to manage the environment not simply for our benefit, but for God′s glory.
If we fail to care for the environment as God′s people, we will reap the consequences. Protecting the environment is equally important as propagating the gospel, because God is concerned with both the physical and spiritual world.
Christians are reminded that in Genesis 1: 26-28, God sensitises us to the importance of the environment, when he says: “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
Concern for the environment may open opportunities for Christians to share with people of other religions that their service to creation overflows from love for God, the creator.
God’s love for the environment is so profound that in Deuteronomy 20:19, he cautioned warring factions that “When you besiege a city for a long time, making war against it in order to take it, you shall not destroy its trees by wielding an axe against them. You may eat from them, but you shall not cut them down. Are the trees in the field human, that they should be besieged by you?”
According to John Mbiti, in his book, ‘’The Three Religions of Africa’’, God put man in charge of His creation. Islam and Traditional African Religion affirm this and Christian religion amplifies the assertion. The question, therefore, is, has Christianity failed in assisting in the management of resources and protection of the environment?
God has endowed every nation with plants and herbs for curing diseases, including HIV AIDS, hypertension, diabetes, strokes and cancers. Leaves, barks of trees and roots can be used for the preparation of herbal medicines in the country. Trees also provide food, oxygen, help save energy, clean the air and help combat climate change.
Ghana is not exempted from this blessing. By destroying the environment, we are destroying sources of herbal medicine.
It is interesting to note that that forest is a psychological therapy to ill-health. The world’s foremost expert in forest medicine and immunology, Dr Qing Li, considering the role nature plays in health, said that: “There is no medicine you can take that has such a direct influence on your health as a walk in a beautiful forest.”
This strengthens our resolve to conserve nature, especially forests and water bodies, if we are to remain healthy and strong.
To conserve our environment requires proper and prudent use of resources, to satisfy present and future needs. Though our development is dependent on the environment, we should check logging or cutting down of trees, quarrying, sand winning, Illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, open defecation (especially in water bodies) and release of toxic gases.
American President Franklin Roosevelt, wary of the negative effect of environmental degradation, warned that “a nation that destroys its soils destroys itself. Forests are the lungs of our land, purifying the air and giving fresh strength to our people.”
Aside spiritual development, there is the urgent need for Christians to take part in initiatives that seek to tackle ecological, biodiversity, environmental and climatic change issues as a religious duty.
Undoubtedly, Christians are already playing significant roles in national development. But this would be much felt, if apart from propagating the gospel, they take part in environmental conservation and proclaim to the entire world.
[The writer is in-charge of Teshie Ajorman Presbyterian Church of Ghana]
By Rev. Dr. Elias Kwaku Asiamah
When Abigail Fremah steps up to the Armwrestling table, the noise fades, the tension settles, and order takes over.
Despite a calm, but firm and meticulous disposition, she has become one of the quiet forces shaping Ghana’s growing reputation in the sport, not as an athlete, but a referee trusted on the continental stage.
Abigail’s journey into Armwrestling did not begin at the table. Like many Ghanaian sports enthusiasts, she grew up playing several disciplines. Football was her first love, but she also featured in volleyball and basketball during her school years. Sports, she says, was simply a way of life not just for her.
“It runs through the family. All my siblings are into sports,” she stated.
“I was involved in almost every sport in school, football, volleyball, netball, hockey; I did everything,” she recalls.
Her academic background in Health, Physical Education and Recreation laid a solid foundation for her sporting career. While on scholarship at the university (University of Cape Coast), she often used her modest budget to support young athletes, sometimes sharing skills and even T-shirts at programmes she attended. Giving back, she explains, has always been part of her motivation.
However, as she matured as an athlete, Abigail made a critical self-assessment.
“Armwrestling involves a lot of strength,” she admits. “Looking at my body type, I realised I couldn’t fit properly as a competitive athlete.”
That moment of honesty pushed her to a different trajectory but equally important path in sports; which is officiating.
During her National Service, she was encouraged by Mr Charles Osei Asibey, the President of the Ghana Armwrestling Federation (GAF), to consider officiating. He introduced her to a technical official, Mr Hussein Akuerteh Addy, who formally took her through the basics of Armwrestling officiating in 2021.
“I started as a case official,” she says. “We moved from region to region every week, officiating competitions. That’s where it all began.”
By 2022, Abigail was actively involved in national assignments, though she missed the African Championship that year. Her breakthrough came in 2023, when Ghana hosted the African Armwrestling Championship.
It was her first experience officiating at a major international competition and it changed everything.
“That was my first national and international exposure at the same time,” she says. “It really opened my eyes.”
Today, Abigail is a World Junior Armwrestling Referee, a status earned through performance, consistency and discipline. She explains that progression in officiating was not automatic.
“It’s all about performance, your appearance at African Championships, your conduct, how you handle pressure; that’s what takes you to the world level,” she stressed.
As a referee, Abigail’s priority is safety and fairness. Armwrestling, she notes, comes with risks, particularly injuries to the wrists, elbows, shoulders and arms.
“If athletes don’t follow the rules or refuse to listen to officials, injuries can happen,” she explains, adding that focus was everything.
Before every match, she ensures that all equipment which includes elbow pads, hand pegs and table alignment were properly set. Athletes are not allowed to cover their elbows, must grip correctly, and must follow the referee’s commands precisely.
“We make sure everything is fixed before the grip,” she says. “Once we say ‘Ready… Go’, there should be no confusion.”
She is also firm on discipline. Warnings are issued for infractions, and repeated misconduct attracts penalties.
“The referee must be respected, if you don’t listen, the rules will deal with you,” she says.
Abigail credits her confidence partly to her sporting family background. Her mother was a volleyball player, while other family members also participated in sports. Though they were initially concerned about her safety, her rise to the top reassured them.
“They were afraid at first,” she admits. “But they were also very proud, especially because some of them never got the opportunity to reach this level.”
Looking ahead, Abigail is optimistic about the future of Armwrestling in Ghana. In less than a decade, the country has produced African and world-level medalists, a sign, she believes, of great things to come for Ghana.
“Whenever we go out, we come back with medals such as gold and silver,” she says, and to her that was a sign of growth.
In the next five to ten years, Abigail sees herself rising to become a World Master Referee, the highest officiating level in the sport. Until then, her routine remains intense, training four times a week, working closely with athletes, standing on her feet for hours, and constantly refining her understanding of the rules.
“I love this sport,” she says simply. “That love is what keeps me going.”
Abigail encouraged women to be bold and intentional about their place in sports saying “don’t limit yourself because of fear or stereotypes.”
She also urged women to invest in learning, discipline and consistency, stressing that respect was earned through performance.
For Abigail, as Ghana’s armwrestlers continue to make their mark, she will remain where she is most effective at the table, ensuring the game is played right.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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As he had promised Aperkeh, the elderly man and his wife and three daughters stopped by Aperkeh’s parents’ house. Mr Amando and his family were preparing to settle in for the night.
“Brother Ben and family”, Mr Joshua Amando said warmly, “although I know you are here on a matter that can hardly be described as joyous, it is still good to see you. You are welcome. Please sit down while I bring you water”.
“Yes, we will take water, even though we are hardly thirsty, because this is our home”.
“Okay, Ben”, he started after they had drank, “Let me go straight to the point. My daughter Priscilla has told me about the goings on between her brother Aperkeh and our daughter Stella.
Before informing me, Priscilla had expressed concern to Aperkeh about some habits he is adopting, especially the late nights and the drinking. She tells me that one Saturday morning, she was there when Stella complained about his drinking and some girls who had come to the house to look for him, and he assaulted her.
I called him and complained, but all he could say was that I don’t know what caused him to react that way, so I could not judge him. Now he does not answer my calls.
I have sent Priscilla to his house to call him, but he has refused to come. Unfortunately, Ben, my son is a much different person than the young boy who completed university and started work at the bank. I am really embarrassed about his treatment of Stella”.
“Joshua, let me assure you that even though what is happening is very unfortunate, it will not affect our relationship.
We have been friends since childhood, and I thought that with their parents’ blessing, the relationship between Aperkeh and Stella would grow to become a blessing to all of us. But there appears to be a real challenge now.
Stella thinks that Aperkeh wants her out of his house, and indeed Aperkeh himself told me that, about an hour ago.
So I’m taking my daughter home. I suggest that you do what you can to straighten him out, but if it does not work out, let’s accept the situation and continue to be one family.
I am sure that being the well behaved girl that she is, Stella will meet a young man who will cherish her. Fortunately, this problem is happening early in the day, so they can sort things out if possible, or move on with their lives if they are unable to stay together”.
“I’m really grateful for that, Ben. I will do my best in the next few days to reason with him, because apart from the relationship with Stella, Aperkeh is risking his job and career with this lifestyle.
A good job and salary offers an opportunity to gather momentum in life, not to destroy yourself”.
“Okay Brother Joshua. We will say goodnight. I hope to hear positive news from you”.
As he descended in the lift from the fourth to the ground floor, Aperkeh wondered who would be waiting at the reception to see him at nine on Monday morning. He had spent good time with both of his new girls during the weekend, so it had to be someone else. He got out of the lift and pulled a face when he saw Priscilla.
“Priscilla”, he said as he sat down by her, “what do you want here? You know Monday morning is a busy time at the bank. I am a very busy person, so say what you want, I have work to do”.
“You are very funny, Aperkeh. You are telling me, your sister, that you have work to do, so I should hurry up? Okay, Dad says I should advise you to come home tonight, because he wants to discuss the issue of Stella with you. He sent me to you twice, and you did not come.
He has tried to call you quite a number of times, but you have refused to answer his calls. He says that if you do not come tonight, you will be very surprised at what he will do. He says you will not like it at all, so better come.
“What is all this? Why won’t you people leave me alone? Stella is very disrespectful. I told her that if she wanted to continue to live in my house, she must obey me. It is that simple.
She chose to continue ordering me about, controlling me in my own house, so I told her that if she could not live under my conditions she should leave. And she left. In fact, her own father came and took her away. So what again?’’
“How did she disobey or control you? Was she complaining about your continuous drinking and late nights? And did you slap her on several occasions because of that? Did you tell her that if she could not live under your conditions she should leave? You actually said that to her father? You have forgotten that before she came to live with you, our two parents met and agreed, and gave it their blessing?’
“Why don’t you leave, Priscilla? I don’t have to listen to all that”. “Okay, I will go. Your father who gave birth to you and educated you to university level sends me to you, and you ask me to leave? I wish you would defy him, and refuse to come home as he’s telling you, because he is planning to give you the discipline you badly need. Let me tell you. Stella is such a beautiful and decent girl, and I assure you that someone will grab her before you say Jack. You are only 30 years old, and you have already become a drunkard”.
As he walked towards the lift, Aperkeh decided on what to do. He would go home, and calmly listen to what his father had to say. The old man was very unpredictable, and he wouldn’t dare ignore him. So he would take all the insults and threats, but as for Stella she was history. According to Priscilla, Stella was beautiful and all that, but she had not seen the two curvaceous princesses who were all over him, ready to do anything he asked. And these were not barely literate waakye girls, but university graduates from wealthy homes, really classy girls. With stuff like that, who needs a waakye girl? He smiled as he took his seat.
A few minutes to five, Aperkeh was packing up to leave for home to meet his dad when his phone rang. It was Priscilla.
“Aperkeh, Dad says you don’t need to bother to come. Stella’s dad says she came to him early this morning to plead that she would rather stay at home than return to your house. She thinks you are already decided to be rid of her, and she does not want to risk being assaulted again. So it’s done. You can go ahead and enjoy the nice life you have started”.
Before he could tell her to go to hell, Priscilla hanged up the line. He was partially stung that his dad had virtually cut him off. The last thing anyone would want was to fall out of relationship with his own family, which had always supported him.
But the truth was he was no longer interested in Stella. What was wrong with going by one’s feelings? He could only hope that one day, his parents and sister would try to reason with him.
By Ekow de Heer
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