ACCRA, Sept 30 (The African Portal) – Ghana’s 2025 Local Conference of Youth on Climate Change (LCOY) marked its fifth anniversary with the launch of a five-year youth climate action roadmap aimed at strengthening young people’s role in advancing the country’s climate agenda.
Held on September 19 under the theme “Review, Reset: Empowering Youth for Ghana’s Climate Future,” the event brought together policymakers, climate experts, development partners and youth leaders to assess progress on youth-led climate initiatives.
Delivering the keynote address on behalf of Minister of State for Climate Change and Sustainability Issifu Seidu, public relations officer Eunice Laweh said the theme underscored both urgency and hope.
“The theme for this year’s conference reflects both the urgency of our climate reality and the hope that drives us forward. It challenges us to acknowledge the progress made, confront the gaps that remain, and chart a new path. Ghana has shown leadership on climate action through our Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement, and we must continue to build on this momentum,” she said.
LCOY convenor Noah Bugre urged stakeholders to match commitments with action.
“This year’s theme is not just a call to action; it is a mandate. We have seen where voices are silenced, and systems fail. Now, let’s empower the next generation with more than words and build structures that deliver. To our partners: IOM Ghana, UNDP Ghana, Ministry of Environment, Science, and Technology, Environmental Protection Authority, YOTA, International Labor Organization, National Youth Authority Ghana, and Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment, we thank you, not just for showing up, but for standing with us,” he said.
Dr. Abdul-Razak Saeed, head of the Environment and Climate Cluster at UNDP Ghana, highlighted the global significance of the Paris Agreement’s 10th anniversary.
“This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement, a global milestone in our shared commitment to limit global warming to well below 2°C and ideally to 1.5°C. Staying within this limit is not just a technical goal; it is a moral imperative to protect vulnerable communities, safeguard biodiversity, and secure a liveable future for all. UNDP Ghana remains committed to strengthening the capacities of youth organizations to influence policies and implement community-based solutions,” he said.
He added that UNDP Ghana’s support for the conference was made possible through funding from the Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE), provided via the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology.
A panel discussion titled “Ghana’s NDC Review & Reset: Youth as Implementation Catalysts” featured senior climate officials and experts, including representatives from the Ministry of Environment, UNDP Ghana, the Environmental Protection Agency and civil society. It culminated in the launch of the Ghana Youth Climate Action Roadmap, a five-year framework outlining youth-driven priorities for advancing the country’s climate commitments.
Organisers said the conference also served to celebrate youth leadership, promote intergenerational dialogue and reaffirm support for bold, youth-led climate action ahead of COP30 in Brazil.
