Green Ambassadors Programme Empowers Accra’s Young Girls as Climate Leaders

In a bid to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards, the Green Ambassadors Programme is equipping young girls in Accra with the knowledge and skills to address climate change head-on. An initiative by Girls in Climate and led by the youth team of Active Minds Leadership Initiative, the programme has taken on the mission of fostering climate action and environmental literacy among girls in primary schools across Accra Metro.

The programme, which received funding from Bloomberg Philanthropies under the auspices of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly’s Accra Youth Climate Action Fund , focuses on educating girls about the impacts of climate change, including the frequent flooding and prolonged droughts affecting their communities. The project not only builds climate literacy but also enhances girls’ leadership abilities, empowering them to develop and implement local climate solutions.

Ofosuhemaa Bentil, Project Lead of the Green Ambassadors Programme, highlighted the transformative potential of the initiative. “This programme isn’t just about educating young girls on climate issues; it’s about empowering them to take charge of their environment and to see themselves as climate leaders,” she said. “When girls are informed and empowered, they can raise their voices, influence policy, and help co-design the solutions they envision for their communities and future generations.”

Girls, who often bear the greatest burdens of climate change, are provided with a platform through the programme to address the unique threats they face, from impacts on health and livelihoods to safety concerns. By giving them this foundation, the Green Ambassadors Programme aims to enable these girls to turn challenges into solutions, fostering a more sustainable future.

Over an eight-week period, the programme will visit schools such as Jamestown Methodist School and Kaneshie 3 School among others , engaging the girls in a specially tailored curriculum. The sessions are designed to expand their understanding of climate change and spur them to take action. Each girl will participate in community-driven projects, applying what they’ve learned to create tangible, locally-driven climate solutions.

Through these projects, the girls will not only demonstrate their grasp of climate concepts but will also pitch their own innovative ideas as environmental stewards.

The programme ultimately calls on communities, policymakers, and organizations to support youth empowerment and climate literacy. Active Minds Leadership Initiative urges everyone to follow the Green Ambassadors Programme’s journey on social media and contribute to future initiatives that support young climate advocates.