Okyeame Kwame, a veteran musician and climate change ambassador, has urged young people in Accra to take an active role in combating climate change, highlighting their vital role in promoting creativity and long-term solutions.
On Wednesday, March 19, 2025, Okyeame Kwame spoke at the Youth Climate Action Fund (YCAF) Phase II launch at Accra City Hall. He pointed out that while Africa contributes less than 5% of global carbon emissions, the continent is still among the most impacted by climate change, with rising sea levels, extreme weather, and food insecurity.
The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), in partnership with Bloomberg Philanthropies and important international partners, is leading the YCAF program, which aims to enable youths between the ages of 15 and 24 to create and carry out community-based climate action projects.
The necessity for Africa’s 57% young people to use their numbers and inventiveness to propel modernity and capitalize on global concerns was emphasized by Okyeame Kwame.
In order to preserve biodiversity, he highlighted indigenous methods of weeding before the rains without burning vegetation, citing traditional agricultural practices as an example of sustainable farming.
He also encouraged young people to turn trashed garments recovered from waterways into reusable materials by highlighting the financial benefits of waste management.
In response to the impact of social media, he encouraged young people to establish campaigns that encourage private sector involvement and climate change innovation, and he encouraged rappers and musicians to write songs that raise awareness and motivate 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.
Speaking on livestock farming’s significant role in climate change, he said that the sector is responsible for roughly 18% of carbon emissions and emphasized that nations like China and numerous European countries have cut back on meat consumption as part of their attempts to mitigate the effects of climate change.
He shared his dedication to climate advocacy and disclosed that he had not eaten meat for the previous four years because he did not want to exacerbate the issue he was fighting for.
According to the “Made in Ghana” hitmaker, plant-based protein sources like lentils, soybeans, and peas are abundant throughout Africa and should be explored by young people.
The gathering, which was attended by traditional leaders, development partners, government representatives, climate experts, and young climate innovators, reaffirmed Accra’s commitment to enhancing youth involvement in international climate action initiatives.