Joint Initiative Empowers Ghanaian Students and Youth with Climate Education Through the Launch of the Ghana Climate Literacy Portal
Joint Initiative Empowers Ghanaian Students and Youth with Climate Education Through the Launch of the Ghana Climate Literacy Portal
Joint Initiative Empowers Ghanaian Students and Youth with Climate Education Through the Launch of the Ghana Climate Literacy Portal
The Green Africa Youth Organization (GAYO) has taken a significant step towards empowering Ghanaian youth to take action on climate change with the launch of a climate change portal designed specifically for young people in Ghana. The portal, developed in collaboration with the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN), Ghana Library Authority, (GhLA) in support of UNICEF Ghana, provides a platform for young people to learn about climate change and its impacts on their local environment.
According to Richard Matey, Executive Director of GAYO, the portal was developed to address the lack of local knowledge on climate change in Ghana. “A lot of the knowledge around climate change centers on information from the Global North,” Matey explained. “We want Ghanaians to understand what climate change is, especially the young people, so it was prudent for us to have knowledge that is based on our local context.”
The portal is designed to be user-friendly and accessible to young people aged 9–35. Some of its key features include local examples and case studies to illustrate the impacts of climate change in Ghana, self-paced courses that allow users to learn at their own convenience, offline accessibility, and expert facilitation. The portal uses simple, plain language to present complex climate change issues, making it easy for young people to understand and develop solutions to address the problem.
The initiative’s partners, GAYO, CDKN, GhLA and UNICEF Ghana are working in collaboration with the Ghana Education Service to ensure the portal reaches young people nationwide. Together, they plan to install the platform on computers in libraries and schools, accompanied by a series of outreach and engagement activities to promote its use and encourage climate action among youth.
This initiative is a significant step towards empowering Ghanaian youth to take action on climate change. By providing local knowledge and solutions, the portal aims to inspire a new generation of climate leaders who can develop innovative solutions to address the climate crisis.
The launch of the climate change portal reflects a strong collaborative effort between GAYO and its partners, the Ghana Library Authority, the Climate and CDKN, UNICEF, and the Ghana Education Service. This united front demonstrates a shared commitment to empowering young Ghanaians with localized knowledge and practical tools to respond to the climate crisis, laying the groundwork for long-term impact in climate education and leadership.
Key features of the portal include:
1. Local examples and case studies to illustrate the impacts of climate change in Ghana
2. Self-paced courses that allow users to learn at their own convenience
3. Offline accessibility, making it available to users in areas with poor internet connectivity
4. Expert facilitation, presenting complex climate change issues in simple, plain language
The portal’s development and dissemination are the result of ongoing collaboration between GAYO, CDKN, GhLA and UNICEF, and will be integrated into the national education system with the support from the Ghana Education Service.
The launch is expected to make a meaningful contribution to climate change awareness and education among young people in Ghana.
By equipping them with localized knowledge and practical tools, the portal aims to spark innovative thinking and grassroots solutions in the fight against climate change.
