On this World Earth Day, Alfred Okoe Vanderpuije, the Member of Parliament for Ablekuma South and former Mayor of Accra, emphasized the urgent need for climate action, recalling the devastating floods of June 3, 2015. He urged young people to seize the opportunities offered by the Youth Climate Action Fund (YCAF) to implement innovative solutions for environmental protection and urban transformation.
Speaking at an event organized by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) under the theme “Our Power, Our Planet,” Vanderpuije highlighted the tragic consequences of the 2015 floods, which occurred while hosting over 50 mayors from around the world. He stated, “June 3, 2015, is a date we must never forget… Floodwaters submerged entire communities, and lives were lost. That is the face of climate change.”
Warning of the ongoing threat posed by climate-induced disasters, he stressed, “We cannot keep doing things the same way… Climate change is not just a distant threat—it’s here, and it’s destroying lives. The city of Accra must act, and the youth must be at the forefront of this action.”
Vanderpuije described the youth-led projects funded by YCAF as crucial interventions, challenging beneficiaries to use the support responsibly to create visible, lasting change. “This is not just about grants—it’s about responsibility,” he stated. He urged recipients to demonstrate their impact through effective waste management, clean energy generation, and climate adaptation strategies.
He also paid tribute to the late Pope, commending his global advocacy for climate action and encouraging young people to continue his legacy: “He told us at the Vatican that mayors must lead, and that the youth must take charge. That message must live on through our actions.”
Mr. Douglas N.K. Annoful, the Metropolitan Coordinating Director, expressed gratitude to Vanderpuije for his commitment to climate issues. He explained that after the launch of phase two of YCAF on March 19, 2025, the assembly initiated processes to select beneficiaries and successfully evaluated applications.
Acting project lead Ben Smith announced that the selected projects include:
- Promoting the Accra Climate Action Plan through Photography, Documentary, and Drama Series
- Urban Gardening and Beautification with Advocacy Seminars
- Advocacy for Climate Change through Quizzes and Debates
- Green Above the Sky of Accra
- Youth Summit: Engaging and Empowering Future Leaders on Climate Change
- Community-led Waste Segregation, Composting, and Public Education
- Bike Your “Trotro”: Promoting Cycling as a Sustainable Transport Option
- Transforming Coconut Husk into Clean Energy
- The Apata Initiative
Smith noted that a total of 58 applications were received, and after a rigorous assessment process, the 20 most promising initiatives were selected based on their alignment with YCAF’s objectives and the Accra Climate Action Plan (2021–2025).
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