The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC) through its Humanitarian and Development Office, Caritas Ghana has put up a long-term Laudato Si Action Programme to model the Laudato Si Action Platform (LSAP), which had been launched by Pope Francis.
“Truly privileged and delighted to lead the development of a long-term Laudato Si Action Programme for the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference,” says Samuel Zan Akologo, Chief Executive Officer of Caritas Ghana.
According to him, “We envisage to model the Laudato Si Action Platform (LSAP), which has been launched by Pope Francis, in Ghana with Local and Cultural specific responses.”
The LSAP has set out seven goals now commonly referred to as the Laudato Si Goals with Goal 1: Response to the Cry of the Earth; Goal 2: Response to the Cry of the Poor; Goal 3: Ecological Economics; Goal 4: Adoption of Sustainable Lifestyles; Goal 5: Ecological Education; and Goal 6: Ecological Spirituality Goal 7: Community Engagement and Participatory Action.
In a write-up on his Facebook wall, Mr. Akologo said working with a Committee of seven, drawn from nearly all sectors within the National Catholic Secretariat and composed of diverse expertise and experience; the Team is set to deliver.
However, the Secretary General of the GCBC, Very Rev. Fr. Lazarus Anondee, on June 24, 2021, launched the Committee using the recent June 7 Statement of the GCBC as the reference point for the task ahead.
“We shall first scout and document existing initiatives by various actors in the Church in Ghana that already address critical concerns in the respective Laudato Si Goals,” he stated in his June 27 Facebook message.
He added “These are the lowest hanging fruits to be harvested for the GCBC Laudato Si Action Programme,” noting, “A next step of a broadly consultation process will fill gaps identified in the menu of existing actions while creating a catalyst for more creative and innovative thinking for alternative solutions.”
According to the caritas boss, with the level of priority and sense of urgency placed on this by the Bishops of Ghana themselves, they intend to devote time in their August meeting to review, validate and input into the Draft Action Programme.
“Once the Programme has been signed off by the GCBC, a public launching will possibly kick start mobilization for implementation,” he hinted, adding, “Multi-stakeholder partnerships and collaboration will be very central to the implementation strategy.”
Mr. Akologo pointed out that some aspects of the Laudato Si Goals resonate quite well with the Government’s Green Ghana Project which provide a good base for engaging Government Institutions.
“We look forward to possibly showcasing the initiatives from Ghana at the Vatican on October 4, 2021 when Pope Francis convenes the diverse Faith Leaders Gathering to galvanise actions that will forestall the looming environmental catastrophe.”
He called for both prayers and actions to contain any further spread and new waves of COVID-19 that would hinder the plans for this important physical gathering of multi-faith leaders for a great cause for humanity and Care for our Common Home (Mother Earth).
Be as it may, he said, the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference could still register their Laudato Si Action Programme online at the Laudato Si Action Platform hosted by the Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.
He noted that plans are only as good as their implementation, emphasising that “actions for the GCBC Laudato Si Action Programme should speak louder than words, come 2022 which is set for the full rollout.”
