As part of the celebration of the Jubilee Year of Consecrated Life in Ghana, Consecrated Men and Women have embarked on a campaign against the destruction of the earth and a cleaning up exercise in Sunyani.
In a remarkable display of commitment to both faith and environmental stewardship, on February 1, 2025, the Consecrated Men and Women from various Religious Orders in Ghana, stormed the principal streets of Sunyani.
The event saw dozens of clergy members, Religious Sisters, and Brothers come together to clean and beautify public spaces in the city.
The campaign, which aims to raise awareness about the importance of protecting the environment, was part of the programme for the country’s Jubilee Year celebration, taking into consideration Pope Francis’ encyclical ‘Laudato Si’, published in 2015 which addresses the importance of caring for the Earth, calling it our common home.
The Religious groups involved emphasized the intersection of faith and environmental responsibility, calling on citizens to take ownership of their surroundings and preserve nature for future generations.
The clean-up exercise covered key areas in Sunyani, including streets, markets, and public parks, where volunteers worked tirelessly to clear waste and educate the public on the harmful effects of pollution.
Participants also displayed placards, educating the public on proper waste disposal and the need to care for the earth for sustainable living.
This exercise was preceded by planting of trees as a sign of commitment to caring for the earth.
Very Rev Fr. Paul Saa Dade Ennin, SMA, the President of the Conference of Major Superiors of Religious -Ghana (CMSR-Gh) expressed his joy at the overwhelming turnout. He indicated that “as Consecrated Men and Women, we are committed to serving God in all aspects of life, including caring for His creation.”
He added: “This clean-up exercise is just one way to demonstrate our love for the environment and our responsibility to protect it.”
Fr. Ennin stated that the exercise was a way of sharing the Gospel as he said, “this is also an evangelization, renewing the face of mother Ghana, renewing the face of the earth and I’m sure that all those saw you today were also touched to protect mother earth and had become environmentally conscious and eco- friendly.”
According to him, “As we celebrate our nation’s Jubilee Year, we are reminded of the need to cultivate a culture of respect for nature, and this campaign is a tangible way to embody that commitment.”
The environmental protection campaign is expected to be extended to other regions across Ghana as part of a wider national movement, inviting all Ghanaians to join in the effort to keep their communities clean and green.
The participants re-gathered at the Christ the King Cathedral where they converged before departing in groups to embark on the environmental protection campaign, singing, drumming and dancing in thanking God for the opportunity to serve the community and reaffirming their dedication to protecting the environment as an essential part of their faith.
Sr. Agnes Mercy Nyatsoe, SMMC (Sr. Communicator)
