Accra: The West African Science Service Centre on Climate Change and Adaptation Land Use (WASCAL), a prominent Climate Service research organization, has called on the Government to incorporate youth-driven initiatives in tackling climate change issues. This move is aimed at harnessing the innovative solutions from the younger generation to address environmental challenges effectively.
According to Ghana News Agency, WASCAL emphasized the importance of embedding climate literacy in tertiary and graduate education curricula. This approach ensures future leaders are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to manage environmental issues adeptly. Professor Benjamin Kofi Nyarko from the University of Cape Coast (UCC) highlighted this during the launch of the Climate Change Action Now (CCAN) initiative. The launch was part of this year’s World Environment Day celebrations and focused on the theme, ‘Youth Powering Ghana’s Climate Resilience.’
Ghana continues to grapple with the adverse effects of climate change, such as erratic rainfall, prolonged droughts, severe flooding, and rising temperatures. These challenges threaten livelihoods, security, and public health, with young people and rural communities being the most affected. The CCAN initiative aims to spotlight youth-led climate solutions, encourage stakeholder dialogue, and promote environmental activities like tree planting, advocacy marches, and pledge signing.
Prof. Nyarko highlighted the existence of numerous youth-led innovations, including clean energy and recycling initiatives, urging stakeholders to support these efforts. He stressed the need for an ecosystem that provides the youth with access to funding, operational platforms, and mentorship, stating that resilience is about progressing forward rather than bouncing back.
He also called on the government to provide micro grants or seed funding to nurture youth innovations and ideas. Prof. Nyarko emphasized that climate resilience requires bold decisions and substantial investments, advocating for the recognition of youth as change agents who can challenge the status quo and demand accountability.
Prof. Wilson Agyare, Director of the Graduate Studies Programme at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), pointed out climate extremism and heatwaves as significant contributors to food insecurity. He cited deforestation, urbanization, and unsustainable farming as activities detrimental to the climate. Prof. Agyare stressed the importance of educating children on climate literacy and preserving Ghana’s wetlands.
Prof. Emmaneul W. Ramde, Executive Director of WASCAL, reiterated his organization’s commitment to supporting youth innovation. He mentioned that WASCAL has trained approximately 500 graduates, Masters, and PhD students in various climate-related fields, aiming to address the comprehensive challenges posed by climate change.
Kwame Nsiah, popularly known as Okyeame Kwame, a musician and environmental advocate, urged the public to make sacrifices for environmental preservation. He shared his personal decision to stop eating meat as a significant step towards combating climate change.
The CCAN initiative anticipates mobilizing over 10,000 Ghanaians through digital and offline channels to take climate action and foster collaboration between government and academic institutions. It aims to create a multi-stakeholder platform to discuss and promote youth-led climate strategies. To mark World Environment Day, WASCAL and its stakeholders participated in a tree planting exercise.