Opoku Ware School (OWASS) and Kumasi Girls Senior High School have joined forces with Rights and Responsibilities Initiatives Ghana (RRIG) to kickstart a transformative youth climate initiative, supported by the Bloomberg Youth Climate Action Fund.
The project, which was launched recently, aims to engage young people in climate action efforts by promoting plastic-free environments and advancing climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies.
Backed by financial support from Bloomberg Philanthropies, channeled through the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), the initiative seeks to empower youth aged 15 to 24 in the Kumasi metropolis. The collaborative project will be implemented with the Kumasi Metro Education Directorate, aiming to foster sustainability through various activities designed to reduce plastic waste and encourage climate-conscious behavior among students.
The initiative is part of Bloomberg Philanthropies’ broader Youth Climate Action Fund, which supports over 100 global mayors in empowering young people to design and execute local climate solutions. Kumasi is one of the selected beneficiaries, reflecting the city’s commitment to tackling climate challenges through youth-driven efforts.
Key goals of the project include raising awareness about the harmful effects of plastic waste, organizing school clean-up exercises, and encouraging waste segregation practices to promote recycling and composting. It also aims to create and strengthen environmental clubs in schools, offering students a platform to champion sustainable practices and engage in entrepreneurial ventures based on waste recycling.
KMA’s Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Henrietta Aboagye, shared that the assembly has secured a substantial USD 50,000 in funding, which will be distributed as microgrants to support climate action initiatives across the metropolis. She emphasized that the funding is a recognition of the proactive efforts of institutions committed to addressing climate change. This funding follows the successful implementation of the program last year, with 26 individuals and organizations selected to carry out and monitor the initiatives.
Mrs. Aboagye also highlighted the ongoing efforts by the KMA to raise public awareness about proper waste disposal practices, which are crucial for the success of the initiative.
Project Officer of RRIG, Mr. Samuel Yaw Gyamfi, outlined the planned activities, which include regular plastic waste clean-up drives, educational workshops, seminars, and talks. The initiative will also focus on the strategic placement of labeled waste bins in schools to encourage proper waste segregation. To ensure the success of these efforts, assessments will be conducted to evaluate the state of post-consumer plastic waste in schools, as well as the availability of dustbins and cleaning tools.
As part of the project, each participating school will receive two types of labeled dustbins: one for plastic waste and another for organic materials.
The headmistress of Kumasi Girls SHS, Mrs. Adellaide Biyaa-Powers, expressed her gratitude for the project and pledged full support from the school. She emphasized that the initiative provides a valuable opportunity to foster environmental responsibility among students and to integrate sustainability into the school’s educational programs. She also announced plans to incorporate the project into the school’s environmental education curriculum, ensuring that students actively engage with the climate action efforts.
This initiative reflects a growing recognition of the importance of involving young people in climate action, equipping them with the tools and knowledge to address environmental challenges and take ownership of their future.
