Christian Council Has Never Been Silent on National Issues – Chairman

By Maame Efua kwaduah

The Christian Council of Ghana (CCG) has dismissed claims that it has remained silent on critical national issues, insisting that much of its engagement and advocacy work is conducted discreetly through direct interactions with key stakeholders.

Chairman of the Council, Rev. Enoch Nii Narh Thompson, said the organization has consistently engaged political leaders, traditional authorities and other stakeholders on matters affecting national development, although many of these interventions take place away from the public eye.

Speaking during a question-and-answer session following the launch of The Voice of CCG Rev. Thompson explained that the Council’s approach often involves private engagement rather than public pronouncements.

“The operations of the Christian Council of Ghana have been largely misconstrued by many of our people. The wisdom of the nature of the operations of the Christian Council of Ghana requires that sometimes we speak truth to power in private,” he stated.

The launch of The Voice of CCG coincided with the observance of World Environment Day 2026, commemorated in Azerbaijan under the theme, ‘Inspired by Nature for Climate and Our Future.’

According to Rev. Thompson, the new media platform is intended to improve communication between the Council and the public by providing regular updates on its positions and activities. The platform will host press briefings, panel discussions, interviews, studio productions and stakeholder engagements.

He stressed that the introduction of the platform should not be interpreted as the Council only now becoming involved in national discourse. Rather, he said, it reflects the need to become more visible and accessible in an era increasingly dominated by electronic and digital media.

While indicating that the Council plans to communicate more frequently through the platform, Rev. Thompson noted that it would continue to adopt quiet diplomacy on certain sensitive matters.

“The current arrangement to have a weekly broadcast is not going to take away that principle that there will be issues that we will not address publicly. But you can be assured that for God and country, the Christian Council of Ghana is very awake to the issues that affect our society and we are speaking to them,” he said.

The Chairman highlighted the Council’s contributions over the past 97 years, noting that it has played a significant role in Ghana’s development through advocacy, leadership formation, social interventions and policy engagement.

He said the Council contributed to Ghana’s independence struggle and has continued to promote the welfare of citizens through collaboration with governments, traditional authorities and faith-based organizations.

Rev. Thompson also cited the Council’s involvement in humanitarian and peacebuilding efforts, including support for communities affected by climate-related disasters and conflict, as well as initiatives aimed at fostering peaceful coexistence among religious groups.

According to him, the Council remains actively engaged in discussions on governance, economic development, family values, marriage, sexuality and other matters of national concern.

He expressed confidence that The Voice of CCG would help the public better understand the Council’s work and its contribution to national development.

Addressing environmental concerns, Rev. Thompson said the Council has embraced the government’s monthly clean-up exercise and encouraged member churches to participate actively in environmental conservation efforts.

He explained that environmental stewardship has been incorporated into the theme for this year’s Christian Council convention and remains a key aspect of the Council’s advocacy agenda.

“As a faith community, we are conscious of the mandate from God to take care of creation and to enjoy it,” he remarked.

The Chairman also called for renewed efforts to address Ghana’s persistent flooding challenges, describing the problem as one that has endured for decades despite long-standing awareness of its causes.

While supporting calls for behavioural change among citizens, he stressed that government has a responsibility to provide the infrastructure required to effectively manage stormwater and mitigate flooding.

“The political governmental leadership has the primary responsibility to provide bridges, waterways and gutters that will carry water from the communities into the sea,” he said.

Rev. Thompson urged authorities to take decisive measures to end the recurring loss of lives and destruction of property caused by annual flooding across the country.