The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has launched a sensitization campaign across selected schools and communities to create awareness about Phase II of the Youth Climate Action Fund (YCAF), an initiative aimed at empowering young people to act against climate change.
The campaign, which included visits to the University of Ghana City Campus (UGCC) and the Chorkor Electoral Area, sought to educate students and residents about the initiative and encourage them to submit project proposals for funding.
The YCAF, supported by AMA, Bloomberg Philanthropies, and other international partners, was launched on March 19, 2025, at the Accra City Hall to provide financial support for youth-led climate projects in local communities.
With an additional budget of $100,000, Phase II of the initiative aims to expand the impact of community-driven solutions and increase youth participation in climate resilience efforts.
Addressing students at the UGCC, the Acting Coordinator of the Project, Mr. BenSmith Afful, emphasized the importance of youth involvement in climate action. He explained that selected projects could benefit from scholarships or travel grants to meet potential funders in the United States. He added that even submitting a project proposal could create additional opportunities, as organizations and partners might take an interest in innovative ideas presented by young people.
Mr. Afful noted that Phase I of the initiative had already provided funding to four youth groups, and Phase II aimed to support even more young innovators. He stressed that applicants must be between 15 and 24 years old and provide a national ID for verification.
Highlighting the urgency of climate action, he warned that if harmful environmental practices persisted, Ghana’s average temperature—currently at 21°C—could rise to 40°C by 2050, posing severe threats to human livelihoods. He pointed out that changing weather patterns were already affecting rainfall patterns, endangering agriculture and food security.
“The future belongs to the youth. If you don’t take action now, the world you are working hard to build your careers in may not be livable,” he cautioned.
He encouraged interested youth to submit their project proposals before the April 14 deadline, adding that all applicants would have the opportunity to attend an ideation workshop where they would receive mentorship and technical support.
As part of the sensitization efforts, he also underscored the importance of waste separation, urging institutions and households to sort waste into categories such as plastics, paper, textiles, and organic waste to enhance recycling efforts.
The Assembly Member for the Chorkor Electoral Area, Hon. Theophilus Isaac Quaye, welcomed the initiative, describing plastic waste as a major environmental challenge in the community.
“Plastic waste has been a challenge in Chorkor and its surrounding areas for years, and this project will go a long way in addressing it,” he stated.
He encouraged young people to form groups and develop projects aimed at tackling pressing environmental concerns, including waste management and air pollution.
“This initiative provides a great opportunity for the youth to come together and take action against environmental issues like plastic waste management and pollution,” he added.
Similarly, the Vice President of the Student Representative Council (SRC) of the University of Ghana City Campus, Emmanuel Kotey Neequaye, underscored the critical role of students in addressing climate change. He urged them to take advantage of the funding opportunity, insisting that working on climate-related projects would not only provide valuable experience but also enhance critical thinking and innovation.
The AMA’s sensitization campaign is expected to continue in other schools and communities, as the Assembly intensifies efforts to encourage youth participation in climate action and sustainable development initiatives.
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