Empowering Youth: Why Ghana Must Embrace Youth-Led Initiatives for Effective Climate Change Solutions

By Dorcas Stephens

Accra, June 8, GNA—The West African Science Service Centre on Climate Change and Adaptation (WASCAL) is calling on the government to engage the youth in climate change initiatives. They believe young people have fresh ideas that can tackle environmental issues.

At the launch of the Climate Change Action Now (CCAN) initiative, Professor Benjamin Kofi Nyarko from the University of Cape Coast emphasized the need to integrate climate literacy into university curricula. This will equip future leaders with the knowledge and skills needed to address these pressing challenges.

Ghana is facing significant climate threats, including unpredictable rainfall, severe droughts, and rising temperatures. These issues not only disrupt livelihoods but also affect public health and security, with young people and rural communities feeling the impact the most.

The CCAN initiative aims to highlight youth-driven solutions, create dialogue among various stakeholders, and promote activities like tree-planting and environmental pledges.

Prof. Nyarko pointed out that there are already numerous youth-led projects focused on clean energy and recycling. He stressed the importance of providing funding, operational platforms, and mentorship to help these initiatives thrive. “We need a supportive ecosystem for our youth. Resilience means moving forward, not just bouncing back,” he stated.

Furthermore, he argued that climate resilience should be inclusive. Those without formal education often have valuable indigenous knowledge that can benefit environmental efforts. He urged the government to offer micro-grants to nurture these innovative ideas.

Prof. Wilson Agyare from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology added that climate extremes, such as heatwaves, are critical drivers of food insecurity. He noted that issues like deforestation and unsustainable farming practices also contribute to climate change.

He highlighted the need to educate children about climate literacy and to protect Ghana’s wetlands as essential steps toward sustainability.

Prof. Emmanuel W. Ramde, executive director of WASCAL, shared that the organization is committed to supporting young innovators. WASCAL has already trained around 500 graduates in areas like climate-related economics and marine biology, helping to bridge the gap between climate change and entrepreneurship.

Kwame Nsiah, popularly known as Okyeame Kwame and an environmental advocate, called on the public to make sacrifices for the environment. He emphasized personal accountability, stating he has stopped eating meat to reduce his carbon footprint.

The goal of CCAN is to rally over 10,000 Ghanaians for climate action by fostering collaboration between government and educational institutions. It aims to create a platform for discussing youth-led climate strategies and has already organized tree-planting events for World Environment Day.

This collective effort highlights the crucial role of the youth in battling climate change and underscores the importance of their inclusion in decision-making processes.

GNA

Edited by Hannah Awadzi/Kenneth Odeng Adade

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