The Presbyterian Church of Ghana is marking the 2026 World Day of Peace with a strong call for Christians and national leaders to invest deliberately in peacebuilding, justice and responsible citizenship.
In a message issued by the Moderator of the General Assembly, Rt. Rev. Dr. Abraham Nana Opare Kwakye, the church urged congregations across the country to recognise peace as both a gift from God and a collective responsibility.
Drawing attention to ongoing global conflicts, including the Russia‑Ukraine war and tensions involving Israel, Palestine and Lebanon, the Moderator noted that peace remains fragile and its absence has consequences far beyond the immediate areas of conflict.
He stressed that threats to peace also emerge from natural disasters, ecological destruction, economic hardship, unemployment and gender‑based violence. Illegal mining and construction on waterways in Ghana, he said, continue to endanger lives and destroy the environment, making responsible citizenship essential to sustaining peace.
The message noted Ghana’s long tradition of peaceful coexistence between Christians and Muslims, urging citizens to protect this heritage. Differences in religious conviction, the Moderator said, must never justify hostility, intolerance or violence.
Instead, Christians are called to uphold their faith while recognising the dignity and freedom of others, promoting dialogue, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence among people of all faiths. Quoting Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:9, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God”, the Moderator reminded believers that indifference is not an option in a troubled world.
Peace must be cultivated and protected long before conflict becomes destructive. He encouraged Christians to build healthy relationships, educate the young to value dialogue, care for creation, resolve grievances without violence, and speak against social injustice and gender‑based violence. True peace, he emphasised, requires justice, dignity, reconciliation, security and hope.
The Moderator stressed that peace is everyone’s responsibility, not only governments or international organisations. Every Christian, family, church and community plays a role through their words, attitudes and treatment of others. Citing Romans 12:18, he urged believers to “live at peace with everyone” as far as it depends on them.
By Jerome Otchere
