Veteran musician and climate change ambassador, Okyeame Kwame, has called on young people in Accra to actively participate in addressing climate change emphasising their crucial role in fostering innovation and sustainable solutions.
Speaking at the launch of Phase II of the Youth Climate Action Fund (YCAF) at Accra City Hall on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, Okyeame Kwame noted that although Africa accounts for less than five per cent of global carbon emissions, the continent remains one of the most affected by climate change, experiencing rising sea levels, extreme weather conditions, and food insecurity.
The YCAF initiative, spearheaded by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) in collaboration with Bloomberg Philanthropies and key international partners, aims to empower young people aged 15 to 24 to develop and implement community-based climate action projects.
Okyeame Kwame stressed the need for Africa’s 57 per cent youthful population to leverage their numbers and creativity to drive modernisation and take advantage of global challenges.
He cited traditional agricultural practices as a model for sustainable farming, highlighting indigenous methods where farmers weed before the rains without burning vegetation, thereby preserving biodiversity.
He also pointed out the economic opportunities in waste management, encouraging young people to transform discarded clothing retrieved from water bodies into reusable materials.
Addressing the influence of social media, he urged youth to develop campaigns that promote private-sector engagement and innovation in climate change, while encouraging musicians and rappers to compose songs that create awareness and inspire action on climate-related issues.
Okyeame Kwame stressed that climate innovation transcends multiple sectors, including technology, agriculture, urban development, and energy efficiency.
He advised students to integrate climate considerations into their career paths, whether as climate change lawyers, journalists, or sustainable chefs.
Touching on livestock farming as a major contributor to climate change, he stated that the industry accounts for about 18 per cent of carbon emissions stressing that countries such as China and several European nations had reduced meat consumption as part of climate mitigation efforts.
Sharing his commitment to climate advocacy, he revealed that he had abstained from eating meat for the past four years, explaining that he did not want to contribute to the problem he was campaigning against.
The ‘Made in Ghana’ hitmaker encouraged young people to explore plant-based protein sources such as lentils, soybeans, and peas, which he described as being in abundance across Africa.
The event was attended by government officials, climate experts, development partners, traditional leaders, and young climate innovators, reaffirming Accra’s dedication to strengthening youth participation in global climate action efforts.
