Religious interpretation and response to climate and its changes in the pluralistic Ghanaian perspective

Abstract

In a place like Ghana, with its diverse religious creeds and the cultural norms of pluralistic societies, climate change is understood through a number of religious epistemologies. Many people of different religions take different actions as if the problems are natural and therefore unique. However, limited attention has been paid to how Ghana's major religious traditions shape climate interpretations and environmental responses. This study examines how Christianity, Islam and African Traditional Religion shape interpretations of climate change, environmental behaviour, and climate governance in Ghana. Based on multi-disciplinary research in fields of environmental ethics, theology, and climate governance, the study argues that climate change in Ghana should be understood as a scientific, moral and spiritual challenge requiring interdisciplinary responses. It is thus not just managed with policy and technical measures, however, but is also managed through religious imagination, ritual practice, and moral language. The paper grounds Ghana in global conversations about religion and climate change through a qualitative interpretive synthesis of data. It finds that religious traditions in Ghana offer strong moral models for environmental stewardship, but also generate interpretive tensions that serve to heighten or hinder climate action. ATR stresses ecological balance and sacred-nature relations; Christianity vacillates between stewardship and dominion interpretations; and Islam values trusteeship (amanah) and moral accountability. The authors draw the conclusion that a dialogical interfaith environmental ethic is necessary for an effective climate response in the pluralistic Ghana. The study recommends that climate change in Ghana needs to be treated in a manner not reliant only on technological and policy solutions. Since religion continues to play a central role in generating public opinion, values and behaviour, climate governance should deliberately use the religious diversity of the country as a strategic resource for environmental sustainability.