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In his address, Maina began by encouraging attendees to reflect on their spiritual connection with nature, urging them to remember times when they felt closest to God while immersed in creation. Quoting Psalm 19:1, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands,” he emphasized the deep spiritual roots of environmental stewardship. He also referenced Mark 1:35, highlighting how even Jesus sought solitude in nature to pray.
Elaborating on the intersection of faith and environmentalism, Maina stressed the Christian call to be responsible stewards of God’s creation, as outlined in Genesis 2:15. He pointed out that this scriptural mandate is central to the WCC’s mission to promote climate justice and sustainable development worldwide.
When sharing the connection between biblical stewardship and Ghanaian traditions, such as preserving sacred forests and animal species, Maina suggested that these cultural practices can serve as powerful models for how faith and tradition can collaborate to protect the environment. He called on churches to take practical steps, including raising environmental awareness, organizing tree planting and cleanup campaigns, and forming partnerships with environmental organizations.
Addressing specific environmental issues in Ghana, such as waste management, plastic pollution, and sand harvesting, Maina advocated for community-driven solutions and sustainable alternatives. He warned that these challenges are like a leaking roof—if not addressed urgently, they could lead to more significant damage in the future.
Concluding his remarks, Maina issued a call for a renewed sense of African patriotism, urging churches to lead in fostering environmental stewardship across the continent. “Our patriotism to Africa and making Africa our home and future should extend to us being patriotic in caring for our environment. Let us empower our communities to embrace solutions to environmental challenges, and churches, in particular, can lead Africa in restoring our natural habitats and preserving the precious biodiversity being lost. It is time to act!” he proclaimed.