By Abbas Nazil
Ghanaian climate experts and environmental advocates have called on the government to actively involve young people in the national climate response by recognizing and investing in youth-led initiatives.
This call was made during the launch of the Climate Change Action Now (CCAN) initiative, developed by the West African Science Service Centre on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use (WASCAL), as part of this year’s World Environment Day celebrations.
The event focused on empowering youth to drive climate resilience in Ghana, under the theme “Youth Powering Ghana’s Climate Resilience.”
Professor Benjamin Kofi Nyarko of the Department of Geography and Regional Planning at the University of Cape Coast emphasized that young people should not be treated as an afterthought in climate discussions.
He argued that youth inclusion is vital for a sustainable future, as they possess the creativity, boldness, and drive to challenge the status quo and develop innovative environmental solutions. Prof. Nyarko urged the government to embed climate literacy in tertiary and graduate education to better prepare future leaders and equip them with the knowledge and skills to combat climate challenges effectively.
The professor also advocated for the provision of seed funding and micro grants to support youth-led projects in clean energy, recycling, and sustainable manufacturing.
He stressed that building climate resilience is not just about recovery but about progressive transformation.
Youth should be given platforms, mentorship, and policy support to nurture their ideas and implement practical solutions.
Moreover, Prof. Nyarko pointed out the untapped potential of people with indigenous knowledge who may not have formal education but can contribute significantly to environmental sustainability.
Professor Wilson Agyare, Director of Graduate Studies at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), highlighted that climate extremism, rising temperatures, and heatwaves are key drivers of food insecurity in Ghana.
He blamed deforestation, rapid urbanization, and unsustainable farming practices for worsening climate conditions.
Prof. Agyare criticized the lack of practical implementation in land use and planning policies, calling for climate literacy education from an early age and the preservation of the country’s wetlands as part of a broader climate mitigation strategy.
WASCAL’s Executive Director, Prof. Emmanuel W. Ramde, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to supporting youth innovation and grooming future climate leaders.
He emphasized the potential for a strong link between climate solutions and entrepreneurship, suggesting that this synergy could help alleviate youth unemployment.
WASCAL, he noted, has already trained over 500 individuals at the Master’s and PhD levels in various climate-related disciplines such as climate change and economy, marine life, health, and blue economy.
These efforts reflect WASCAL’s broader mission to implement holistic, science-based responses to climate change in West Africa.
Renowned musician and environmental advocate, Kwame Nsiah, popularly known as Okyeame Kwame, added a personal dimension to the discussion by sharing his commitment to climate action.
He revealed that he has stopped consuming meat as a personal sacrifice to reduce his environmental impact, encouraging the public to consider individual actions as part of collective efforts to protect the environment.
The CCAN initiative aims to mobilize over 10,000 citizens through digital platforms and community engagement to take meaningful climate action.
It will serve as a platform for multi-stakeholder dialogue, uniting government, academia, civil society, and youth around strategies to confront climate change.
The campaign will include nationwide tree planting, advocacy marches, and climate action pledges.
To mark the event, WASCAL and its partners planted trees in commemoration of World Environment Day, reinforcing their commitment to reforestation and environmental stewardship.
The CCAN initiative represents a critical turning point in Ghana’s climate agenda, with experts and stakeholders unanimously agreeing that youth inclusion, innovation, and investment are essential to building a resilient and sustainable future.