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Special Reports
“Be Organic Vegan to Save the Planet”
— Live Videoconference with Supreme Master Ching Hai By Togo News Group (Originally in French)
The city of Lomé in Togo, West Africa was blessed to be host of an important conference on climate change with Supreme Master Ching Hai. The event, titled “Be Organic Vegan to Save the Planet,” took place on May 9, Golden Year 6 (2009) in the Lomé Conference Hall, and was aired live by Supreme Master TV, LCF - a satellite station, which can be viewed across most major African cities, as well as several radio stations including Nana FM, Nostalgie, and Sport FM in Togo; Hot FM in Ghana; and Tokpa FM in Benin. It was announced during the conference that The Dogs in My Life book was officially released in Nairobi, Kenya on April 22. The English versions of The Noble Wilds and The Realization of Health, along with the French version of The Birds in My Life, are also available for sale in Kenya as well as Togo, Africa. About 3,000 guests attended the conference, including VIPs such as Mr. Leandré Gebenyedji, the representative for the Mayor of Lomé; Dr. Kodjo Agbéyomé Messan, the former President of the National Assembly and former Prime Minister of Togo; Mr. Kwabena O. Acheampong, the Deputy Minister of Tourism from Ghana and Dr. Ofei-Kwasi Agyemang, a respected vegan naturopath from Ghana. Even though the President of Togo was unable to attend personally, he sent his best regards with the Secretary General, Mr. Ahoomey-Zunu Seleagodji, who was his representative. The conference opened with wonderful Togolese traditional dances and songs. In appreciation of their artistic contribution, Master sent gifts to all the performers. Ms. Juliet Gellatley, founder and Director of Viva! and The Vegetarian & Vegan Foundation in the UK; Mr. Shaw Liu, Director of the Research Center for Environmental Change at Academia Sinica in Taipei, Formosa (Taiwan); Mr. Jack Bayles, a vegan and the Managing Director & Co-founder of Alishan Pty. Ltd., Japan; and Mr. Oliver Smith, Deputy Director of Programs at WWF UK, all sent their support and shared their thoughts on the importance of the organic vegan diet. The first guest speaker was Mr. Ahlounsou Sorou Lucien, a vegan and the Head of the Prospecting & Development of l’Oueme & Plateau Departments in Benin, who explained the meaning of global warming, the prime causes of greenhouse gas emissions being mainly man-made sources, and recommended the organic vegan diet as the solution to this problem. He concluded, “It’s up to each of us to find the solution; and if we don’t, we are going toward a collective suicide.” 
The next speaker was Dr. Ofei-Kwasi Agyemang, a vegan Naturopath from Ghana, who dismissed the notion that humans need to get protein from meat because proteins can be found in fruits and vegetables. He said animal products are indigestible and remain in our digestive system for a long period of time, resulting in all the diseases that we are contracting today. Mr. Gebenyedji, representative for the Mayor of Lomé, reflected on the dangerous reality of climate change and called upon all people to take seriously the warming issue of our planet and to continue their efforts to make our world a harmonious place to live. During the question and answer session, Ms. Cécile Sompougdou a vegetarian and accountant from Burkina Faso, asked why we are now contracting so many diseases from animals like mad cow disease, bird flu and most recently swine flu. She wondered if the animals are trying to tell us that meat consumption is not good for humans. Master pointed out that these diseases were not the making of the animals; rather, the deplorable conditions they’re living in are the real cause. She said the animals do want humans to wake up to the dangers that we are creating, not just for them but for humankind, “because even though the animals themselves are forgiving, the physical law of the universe states that for every action there is a consequence. So, if we wish to live healthily, happily ourselves, we should let others live, likewise. This is the best guideline. If we live in peace with other beings, meaning we don’t try to make them our food, we don’t make them suffer, then we will never worry about disease, and our life and the planet will be quickly like that of Heaven.” Dr. Kodjo Agbéyomé Messan, former President of the National Assembly and former Prime Minister of Togo, asked for advice from Master on how to motivate citizens in Africa to act on global warming, because most of them are not concerned about this issue and think the Westerners are responsible for this calamity due to their large scale animal agriculture practiced. Master said, “Global warming does not spare anyone. Each person is responsible to do their best to awaken the noble qualities in themselves to save the planet and, of course, their lives and the lives of their family.” She reminded everyone, “Global warming is not about blame. We all have a shared planet and we have shared responsibility, and we all want it to be saved for every one of us.” 
Mr. Prosper Akpabla, a mechanical engineer, said some think that global warming is a punishment from the gods. How can the vegan diet calm the gods? Master answered that the effects of planetary warming that we are experiencing are not a punishment from Heaven, from God, but a consequences of our actions. She explained, “Global warming follows the universal principle that every action brings a response, or we could say a consequence. So, if humanity acts in ways that are considerate and kind, the universe will bring consideration and kindness in return.” In regards to the vegan diet, She said not only does it remove harmful methane from the atmosphere, but also “on a deeper level, it removes the killing actions and replaces them with kindness so that the entire planet becomes filled with this essential goodness, positive benevolent energy. And then surely, the gods will also be pleased, forever after.” Master also shared Her insightful thoughts and gave practical advice on many other subjects, including fish farming, the benefits of the vegan diet, the education of children and teens, organic vegan farming, alternative energy sources to burning fossil fuels like coal as well as the role of the media and government in fighting global warming. 
After the conference, delicious vegan food was served to all the guests, many of whom said that they would become vegan if they could eat delicious food like this every day. Reporters from television, radio and newspapers continue to request more information about global warming as well as the vegan diet. Overall, the conference was a huge success, thanks to Master’s
blessing, the dedicated efforts of the many initiates who traveled
across the globe for the preparation work, and the Togo Presidential
Office that kindly offered assistance in resolving Internet issues
during the event. Our gratitude also goes to all the government officials,
experts and special guests who took their precious time to support
this meaningful occasion. May more African people learn the truth
about our planetary crisis from these discussions and turn to the
life-saving vegan diet in time so that all beings can enjoy a peaceful
life on Earth with God’s abundant loving grace.
To watch Supreme Master Television’s coverage of this videoconference, please visit:
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