The She Leads Social Movement, a youth-driven initiative in Ghana’s Upper West Region, amplified its call for strengthened climate action during a demonstration commemorating International Youth Day 2025. Under the banner of “Climate Justice Now: Voices from the Youth, Actions for All,” the movement, in collaboration with CARD Ghana and Activista Ghana, organized a march to present a petition to the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC), demanding more robust climate policy implementation. The march, attended by diverse youth groups across the region, visually underscored the urgency of their demands with placards bearing messages like “Fund Our Future! Protect Our Lives” and “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Minimize Waste — The Future is Now,” highlighting the interconnectedness of environmental protection, resource management, and future well-being. This action underscores a growing awareness among the youth about the existential threat of climate change and the need for immediate, decisive action to mitigate its impacts and secure a sustainable future.
The petition delivered to the RCC provided a stark portrayal of the climate vulnerabilities plaguing the Upper West Region. It detailed the environmental challenges faced by the region, including deforestation, widespread environmental degradation, unsustainable charcoal production, persistent drought conditions, and increasingly erratic rainfall patterns – all of which pose significant threats to livelihoods, food security, and overall development. These issues are not merely environmental concerns; they represent interconnected challenges impacting the socio-economic fabric of the region, highlighting the urgency for a comprehensive and integrated approach to climate action. The petition argued for a multi-faceted approach to tackling these challenges, emphasizing the need for stronger policy integration at the local government level, specifically within the Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs), and the allocation of dedicated budgetary resources to support climate action initiatives.
Beyond budgetary allocations and policy integration, the petition stressed the importance of inclusivity in climate resilience strategies. It advocated for the active and meaningful participation of women, youth, and marginalized groups in the design and implementation of climate adaptation and mitigation programs, recognizing that these groups are often disproportionately affected by climate change impacts. Furthermore, the petition called for stringent measures against illegal mining activities, which contribute significantly to environmental degradation, and advocated for increased investments in renewable energy sources and climate-smart agricultural practices. These measures are crucial not only for mitigating climate change effects but also for fostering sustainable development pathways that enhance resilience and protect the region’s natural resources.
Recognizing the importance of accountability, the petition also demanded the establishment of a transparent monitoring framework to track progress and hold duty-bearers responsible for implementing climate-related commitments. This framework is seen as essential for ensuring that climate action plans translate into tangible outcomes and that resources allocated for climate-related activities are utilized effectively and transparently. By emphasizing accountability and transparency, the youth-led movement aims to establish a system where commitments are not just made but are actively pursued and their impact rigorously assessed. The petition, therefore, represents not just a list of demands but a comprehensive roadmap for climate action in the Upper West Region, emphasizing a holistic approach that integrates policy, resource allocation, community participation, and accountability mechanisms.
Receiving the petition, the Upper West Regional Minister, Lawyer Charles Lwanga Puozuing, accompanied by the Regional Coordinating Director, acknowledged the significance of the youth’s advocacy and commended their commitment to addressing climate change. He assured the delegation that the RCC would carefully review the petition and address the demands within its purview. Issues requiring national-level intervention, he stated, would be forwarded to the central government for policy alignment and action. The Minister’s response underscored the government’s recognition of the urgency of climate change issues and its commitment to engaging with youth voices in the development and implementation of climate solutions.
The Minister’s remarks further emphasized the alignment of the youth’s concerns with the President’s agenda, highlighting the administration’s interest in environmental protection and climate change mitigation. This acknowledgment signaled a potential avenue for collaboration between the youth movement and the government in addressing the climate crisis. The assurance that the youth’s concerns would be taken seriously provides a degree of hope that the demands presented in the petition would not be ignored but would be integrated into policy discussions and action plans. This exchange between the youth activists and the regional government representatives signifies an important step in fostering dialogue and collaborative action towards achieving climate justice and building a sustainable future for the Upper West Region. The She Leads Project, implemented by CARD Ghana in partnership with Plan International Ghana, provides the organizational framework for this crucial youth-led movement, empowering young voices to advocate for change and contribute to building a more resilient and sustainable future.
