Story by: Emmanuel Authur
The 2025 LCOY Ghana marked its 5th anniversary with the theme, “Review, Reset: Empowering Youth for Ghana’s Climate Future.” The event gathered policymakers, climate experts, development partners, and youth leaders to assess progress on youth climate action and launch the Ghana Youth Climate Action Roadmap (GYCAR) for the next five years.
In her keynote address on behalf of Hon. Issifu Seidu, Minister of State for Climate Change and Sustainability, Mrs. Eunice Laweh, Public Relations Officer, emphasized the significance of the theme:
“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.
Mr. Noah Bugre, Convenor of LCOY 2025, stressed the need to translate words into action and recognized the support of key partners:
“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.”
Dr. Abdul-Razak Saeed, Head of the Environment and Climate Cluster at UNDP Ghana, reflected on the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement:
“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 livable future for all. UNDP Ghana remains committed to strengthening the capacities of youth organizations to influence policies and implement community-based solutions.”
He affirmed UNDP Ghana’s ongoing commitment to partnering with youth to advance climate goals, noting that their support for the conference was enabled through funding from the Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE), facilitated by the Ministry of Environment, Science, and Technology.
One of the highlights was a high-level panel discussion titled “Ghana’s NDC Review & Reset: Youth as Implementation Catalysts,” moderated by Dr. Catherine Adodoadji-Dogbe, Programme Analyst at UNDP Ghana. Panelists included climate experts Mr. Mohammed Gyimah (Deputy Director, Climate Change Unit, MEST), Dr. Abdul-Razak Saeed (UNDP), Dr. William Bannerman (Founder & CEO, Intelligence Nature International), and Nana Dr. Antwi-Boasiako Amoah (Acting Director, Climate Vulnerability and Adaptation, EPA). The discussion paved the way for the launch of the Ghana Youth Climate Action Roadmap, a five-year plan outlining youth-driven climate priorities and actions for advancing Ghana’s climate agenda.
The conference also served as a platform to celebrate youth leadership, foster intergenerational dialogue, and reaffirm a collective commitment to bold, youth-led climate action as Ghanaian youth prepare to engage at COP30 in Brazil.