The Catholic Bishop of the Sekondi-Takoradi Diocese, Most Rev. John Baptist Attakruh, has taken a swipe at the clergy, accusing them of failing to use their pulpits to speak out strongly against environmental destruction.
Speaking at the 2025 Marshall Moreau Murat Memorial Lectures organised by the Knights and Ladies of Marshall, Bishop Attakruh, admitted that religious leaders have not done enough to condemn harmful human activities that damage the environment.
He cited illegal mining, popularly known as “galamsey”, and the indiscriminate disposal of waste as key issues contributing to choked gutters and widespread flooding across the country.
The Bishop urged the clergy to take up the responsibility of educating their congregations on environmental protection and to use their platforms to advocate for urgent action.
“We have failed to speak boldly about the destruction we’re causing to our environment. Galamsey is killing our rivers, and plastic waste is choking our gutters. It’s time for the Church to rise and lead this fight.”
He warned that Ghanaians are already suffering the consequences of their actions and called on everyone, especially religious leaders, to support the upcoming national cleanup exercise announced by the government.
“Let us all get involved—clergy, youth, and elders. If we don’t act now, we will continue to pay the price through floods and destruction.
