Religious diversity and environmental ethics in a Pluralistic Ghanaian Perspective

Résumé

This study examines the relationship between religious diversity and environmental ethics in Ghana’s pluralistic religious context, where African Traditional Religion (ATR), Christianity, and Islam coexist within a shared socio-cultural environment. The research responds to growing environmental challenges, including deforestation, illegal mining (galamsey), water pollution, biodiversity loss, and climate variability, as well as limited scholarly attention to the ecological implications of religious pluralism. Guided by Sacred Ecology Theory, Stewardship Theory, the Just Sustainabilities Framework, and African Communitarian Ethics, the study adopted a mixed-method research approach. The target population comprised religious leaders, environmental activists, traditional authorities, community elders, members of faith-based organizations, and community residents. Using purposive and stratified sampling techniques, data were collected from 330 participants, comprising 300 survey respondents and 30 key informants, selected from urban, peri-urban, and rural communities across Ghana. Semi-structured interviews, questionnaires, and document analysis were employed, and data were analyzed using thematic and statistical techniques. Findings indicate that religious diversity significantly shapes environmental ethics and sustainability practices. ATR promotes sacred ecological values through taboos and sacred groves, while Christianity and Islam emphasize stewardship and environmental responsibility. The study concludes that religious diversity is both a resource and a challenge for sustainability and recommends integrating religious institutions, interfaith collaboration, and indigenous ecological knowledge into environmental governance and development policies.