National mindset change key to solving environmental problems — Christian Council
Environmental responses must extend beyond engineering projects and infrastructure development to encompass a radical shift in mindset, the General Secretary of the Christian Council of Ghana (CCG), Rev. Dr Cyril Fayose, has said.
He stressed that many of the environmental disasters experienced in the country were the result of human attitudes and behaviour, requiring a mindset reset to address the challenges.
Rev. Dr Fayose was speaking at the maiden edition of “The Voice of CCG”, a weekly broadcast on issues of national and global importance in Accra yesterday.
Theme
The event, which was on the theme: “The state of Ghana’s environment”. was marked as part of World Environment Day 2026, which was also on the theme: “Inspired by nature. For climate. For our future”.
While acknowledging governments’ investments in drainage systems, dredging and flood-control projects over the years, Rev. Dr Fayose said flooding remained a recurring reality because “drains do not choke themselves. Rivers do not become polluted on their own. Forests do not destroy themselves”.
He said people threw waste into drains, dumped refuse into rivers, built on waterways and engaged in illegal mining, adding that many environmental disasters were a result of human attitudes and behaviour.
“Environmental stewardship must become part of our culture. We need children who grow up understanding that littering is unacceptable.
We need communities that take ownership of their surroundings. We need public officials who uphold integrity and enforce regulations fairly,” Rev. Fayose emphasised.
He said the event was significant because it provided an opportunity not only to celebrate nature but also to honestly assess the state of the country’s environment and the collective responsibility toward its preservations.
Rev. Dr Fayose said signs of environmental degradation were becoming increasingly visible across the nation, with flooding, poor sanitation, pollution, illegal mining, deforestation and climate-related disasters threatening lives and livelihoods.
He recalled the heavy rains on June 3 and 4, 2026, which caused flooding in parts of Accra and other regions and asked, “Is our environmental challenge primarily an infrastructure problem, or is it fundamentally a people problem?”
Illegal mining
On illegal mining, Rev. Dr Fayose described “galamsey” as a threat to national survival that had polluted rivers such as the Pra, Ankobra and Birim, destroyed forest reserves and degraded agricultural lands.
He called for a sustained collaboration among government institutions, faith-based institutions, civil society organisations, development partners and citizens to promote environmental responsibility and climate resilience.
Rev. Dr Fayose urged the government to enforce environmental and sanitation laws consistently and impartially, and for churches and individuals to accept responsibility.
“Let us move from awareness to responsibility. Let us move from blame to ownership.
Let us move from neglect to stewardship. Let us move from indifference to action,” he added.
He said that through “The Voice of CCG”, the Christian Council would commit itself to sustained advocacy and practical action on environmental care, climate resilience and ecological justice.
