By Prince ASUMAH
The West African Science Service Centre on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use (WASCAL) has officially launched its ‘International Climate Change Action Now’ (ICCAN) advocacy in Accra, as part of activities marking World Environment Day.
Addressing attendees at the launch, Executive Director of WASCAL, Professor Emmanuel W. Ramde, outlined the Centre’s ongoing efforts in the fight against climate change. With a membership comprising twelve West African states, ECOWAS, and the Federal Republic of Germany, WASCAL aims to combat climate change and enhance livelihoods across the region.
In collaboration with international partners, WASCAL pursues its mission through research, advisory services, and capacity building. It also partners with academic institutions across West Africa and Germany to offer graduate programmes in climate change and green hydrogen studies.
The event attracted several high-profile figures from public and private institutions, all of whom emphasised the urgency required in addressing the global climate crisis.
Delivering the keynote address, Professor Kofi Nyarko of the University of Cape Coast (UCC) lauded the efforts of Ghanaian youth in addressing climate issues and called for greater investment in their potential. “We must recognise the youth as agents of change,” he stated, adding that such investment should take the form of “funding, platforming and policy support”.
“If we invest in climate education now, we are not just informing a generation—we are equipping them to build the systems that will replace the ones failing us today,” Prof. Nyarko added. He further argued that empowering youth-led innovation could significantly reduce the long-term financial burden of fighting climate change.
Also present was Professor Wilson Agyare, Director of the Graduate Studies Programme at WASCAL-KNUST. He delivered a lecture titled “Our Land, Our Crops, Our Livelihoods: Are We Really Fighting Climate Change?” In his remarks, he stressed that the climate crisis is not solely the responsibility of politicians. “It affects everyone. Therefore, we all have a role to play in tackling this challenge,” he said.
Prof. Agyare highlighted sustainable practices such as afforestation, wetland preservation, and proper waste management as vital strategies. “Capacity building on climate change adaptation is the key,” he noted, calling for efforts to shift societal mindsets towards sustainability.
Among the many distinguished guests was celebrated musician and climate advocate, Mr. Kwame Nsia Apau, popularly known as Okyeame Kwame. A committed vegetarian, he stressed the importance of tree planting and reducing meat consumption. In a passionate appeal to the youth, he urged them to be bold, ambitious, and ready to make sacrifices in the climate struggle.
The event brought together youth groups, NGOs, and members of the business community, underscoring WASCAL’s commitment to fostering inclusive dialogue. Through its ICCAN advocacy, WASCAL aims to collaborate with governments, academia, and industry stakeholders to mitigate the impacts of climate change.
Held under the theme “Youth Powering Ghana’s Climate Resilience”, the launch celebrated the contributions of young Ghanaians to the climate movement while spotlighting the pressing challenges and potential solutions in the ongoing eco-war.
