Dr. Godfred Andoh, Chief Executive Officer of St. Georgina Health Care and Consultancy, has criticised what he describes as religious hypocrisy among some Ghanaians who profess Christianity while engaging in galamsey and other activities that destroy the environment.
Speaking in an interview with Modern Ghana Online, Dr. Andoh questioned how Ghana, where Christians reportedly constitute about 72 percent of the population, continues to battle illegal mining, the destruction of water bodies and widespread environmental degradation.
According to him, the situation raises serious questions about whether Christian values are genuinely influencing the conduct of some citizens.
Dr. Andoh expressed particular concern that some individuals allegedly involved in illegal mining are also regular churchgoers.
“Most of the people doing that even go to church every Sunday but still they do things that they should not do as Christians,” he said.
He stressed that Christianity should not end at the church door, arguing that genuine faith must be reflected in the decisions and behaviour of believers.
Taking his argument further, Dr. Andoh questioned the authenticity of the faith of people who profess Christianity while participating in activities that destroy Ghana’s natural resources.
“Though there is 72 percent of Christians, most of them are not in Christ. They are not truly Christians or born again, else they would not be doing that,” he stated.
He added: “They go to church but do worse things.”
RESPONSIBLE CHILDREN PROTECT THEIR FATHER’S PROPERTY
Dr. Andoh further drew a biblical connection between Christian identity and environmental responsibility, stressing that those who consider themselves children of God must take care of the earth.
“A responsible child takes good care of their father’s property, and so therefore, if we are children of God, then we must protect our environment,” he said.
He consequently called on pastors and church leaders to make environmental responsibility part of their teachings and discipleship.
“So pastors must teach members on that,” he added.
Quoting Scripture, Dr. Andoh referenced Psalm 24:1, which states, “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof,” as well as John 1:12, which speaks of those who believe in Christ being given the right to become children of God.
According to him, the biblical understanding of being a child of God should come with responsibility.
“Every responsible child takes good care of his father’s properties,” he stressed.
He argued that the destruction of Ghana’s environment through illegal mining is therefore inconsistent with the responsibilities expected of people who profess to be God’s children.
“Destroying the environment truly shows that we are not true children of God or we are irresponsible,” Dr. Andoh stated.
CALL FOR CHRIST-CENTRED TEACHINGS
The St. Georgina Health Care and Consultancy CEO also challenged the church to focus more on teachings that produce responsible Christians rather than messages centred primarily on personal glorification.
“The church must teach Christ-like values that make Christians responsible rather than self-glorifying akwankyerɛ that do not point people to Christ,” he said.
Dr. Andoh’s remarks add a strong moral and spiritual dimension to Ghana’s galamsey crisis, arguing that the fight against illegal mining should not be left entirely to the government, law enforcement agencies and environmental authorities.
For him, the church has an important role to play in shaping the conscience and behaviour of citizens.
He maintained that if Christians genuinely understand themselves as children of God, they must demonstrate that identity through responsible living, including protecting the environment, safeguarding water bodies and refusing to participate in activities that destroy Ghana’s natural resources.
