The Rt Rev Francis Amenu, Moderator of the General Assembly of the E.P. Church, has said Ghana needed “radical leaders” in all facets of society to manage the “crucial stage” the country had got to.

He said such leaders must uphold integrity, command respect and confidence of the citizenry in order to promote “wholeness, justice and harmonious relationships” vital for the country’s effective development.

Rt Rev Amenu said this at the opening of the sixth General Assembly of the Church in Ho under the theme, “God of life, lead us to justice, peace and dignity for wholeness”.

He said those appointed to positions of leadership must uphold and promote justice, peace and harmony.

Quoting Article 36 (9) of the 1992 Constitution, Rt Rev Amenu said the worsening state of the country’s environment was an indictment on leadership.

It states, “The Sate shall take appropriate measures needed to protect and safeguard the national environment for posterity.”

Rt Rev Amenu called on religious bodies, media, traditional leaders and non-governmental organizations to embark on a vigorous campaign to change negative attitudes to the environment.

“Cleanliness is next to godliness”, he said.

He called on the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation to implement the National Environment Policy (NEP) vigorously.

Rt Rev Amenu also called on the Ministry of Education to integrate environmental study into the curricula of basic and second cycle schools.

He suggested that a separate environmental sanitation programme should be instituted to deal with environmental health issues.

A new Moderator of the General Assembly of the E.P. Church is expected to be elected to replace Rt Rev Amenu who bows out of office after six years in charge.

Front-runners in the election are Rev Dr Setri Nyomi, out-going General Secretary of the World Council of Reformed Churches (WCRC) and Rev Dr Seth Senyo Agidi, Director, Programmes and Ecumenical and Social Relations of the E.P. Church.