Youth urged to take active interest in climate change issues

By Jesse Ampah Owusu, GNA 

Accra, Oct. 19, GNA – Professor Nana Ama Browne Klutse, the Chief Executive Officer of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), has urged African youth to take an active interest in climate change issues and participate fully in efforts to address its impacts. 

She said the engagement and actions of young people today would shape the world of tomorrow, urging them to take advantage of opportunities to contribute to climate-related activities and initiatives. 

Professor Klutse gave the advice on Monday at the opening of the Regional Conference of Youth (RCOY) Africa 2026, organised by the Green Africa Youth Organization, the Africa Center for Climate and Sustainability Empowerment, and the Alliance for Youth in Climate Change Action at Knutsford University in Accra. 

The two-day conference, scheduled for October 19 to 20, brought together young climate leaders, policymakers, researchers, civil society representatives and development partners from across Africa’s five sub-regions. 

It seeks to consolidate African youth priorities into a unified Africa Youth Statement to inform the Global Youth Statement at the 21st Conference of Youth (COY21) and strengthen youth advocacy ahead of the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31), scheduled to take place in Antalya, Türkiye. 

Prof. Klutse said it was important to equip, engage and empower young people across the continent to lead efforts towards building climate-resilient communities and economies. 

She encouraged the youth to pursue research and studies in climate change to develop innovative solutions that would help mitigate its effects. 

Mr Seidu Issifu, Minister of State for Climate Change and Sustainability, in a speech read on his behalf, said Africa’s youth were a strategic asset whose contributions to climate action must extend beyond conferences to influence policies, investments and implementation. 

He said the government was committed to creating meaningful opportunities for youth engagement to enable young people to develop practical and results-oriented proposals to address climate challenges. 

“I encourage RCOY Africa to develop a focused Africa Youth Statement to inform COY21 and COP31, reflecting continental priorities and guiding continued engagement with governments and regional institutions,” he said. 

“Youth participation must move beyond representation to meaningful influence on decisions and investments,” he added. 

Mr Richard Matey, Chairperson of the RCOY Africa 2026 Organising Committee, said Africa’s position as the continent with the youngest population presented a significant opportunity to advance climate action. 

“Our young people bring knowledge, creativity, technical skills and entrepreneurial potential that can help shape Africa’s response to climate change. Realising this potential requires investment in their capabilities and meaningful opportunities to influence decisions,” he said. 

GNA 

Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe