NYA urges united front among Ghanaian youth to tackle climate change

The Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the National Youth Authority (NYA) in charge of programmes and operations, Nelson Owusu Ansah, has emphasized the vital role of youth engagement and collaboration in addressing climate change issues.

Speaking at a climate change conference and capacity-building workshop organized in Accra, he highlighted that the event served as an essential platform to raise awareness and mobilize youth-led actions in the fight against climate change. Additionally, the workshop aimed to enhance the capacity of youth organizations to effectively address both climate mitigation and adaptation efforts.

"Many community-based organizations, while actively working to combat climate challenges, often lack the necessary resources and expertise,” he remarked.

The conference, organized by the NYA under the theme "Empowering Climate Action Through Ambition, Implementation, and Inclusivity," sought to bring together youth-led organizations, youth-focused groups, and civil society organizations (CSOs) within Ghana’s climate change ecosystem. Mr. Owusu Ansah emphasized that the primary goal of the event was to create a unified strategy, empowering young people to champion climate action across the country.

Touching on the challenges facing many youth groups addressing climate change issues , he pointed to the fact that they face significant challenges in securing the resources needed to carry out climate-related projects, and this is largely due to their fragmented efforts. He stressed the importance of a collective action, stating that the lack of a united front among youth organizations has limited their ability to attract the necessary support.

By consolidating efforts under a single coordinated framework, spearheaded by the NYA, he believes that youth-led organizations will be better positioned to tap into funding opportunities both nationally and globally.

He urged young people to rally behind government climate policies, expressing concern that only a small portion of Ghana’s youth are fully aware of the climate crisis and its long-term consequences.

In closing, Mr. Owusu Ansah emphasized that this coordinated effort, combined with a unified approach to securing resources, would enable the youth to take more impactful actions and play a significant role in the nation’s fight against climate change. He also presented a citation to the “Buz Stop Boys” for cleaning heavily trafficked areas and creating a cleaner and more welcoming environment in Ghana.

Dr. Emmanuel Marfo, Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Environment, Science, and Technology, praised the NPP's manifesto for its strong focus on climate financing, describing it as the "greenest" among Ghana's political agendas.

The Member of Parliament for Oforikrom constituency noted that the NPP manifesto places significant emphasis on environmental issues, particularly its strategy to secure climate finance as a key driver for attracting green investment and promoting sustainable development. He noted, “The manifesto clearly prioritizes environmental sustainability, with climate finance at the forefront of efforts to draw in green funding.

Dr. Marfo pointed out that the establishment of a Climate Finance Division within the Ministry of Finance, under the current NPP administration, signals the party's dedication to incorporating climate finance into Ghana’s broader development framework. He highlighted this as a crucial move for accessing international green finance, essential for driving the country’s sustainable growth.

Acting Director for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dr. Daniel Benefoh underscored the vital connection between climate change and national development, emphasizing that it has become a central concern for policymakers, businesses, and citizens. He highlighted the importance of raising awareness and empowering the youth as crucial measures in tackling the climate crisis effectively.