The City of Accra has been chosen, along with three others, to present its success story at the official kick-off event for the Youth Climate Action Fund Phase 2.0, following the city’s remarkable involvement in the first phase.
Bensmith Afful, the city head of Accra, will collaborate with city leads from Nouakchott, Mauritania, and Athens, Greece, to bring YCAF 1.0 lessons, creative programs, and best practices to representatives from 300 participating cities across the globe.
The goal of the virtual meeting, which is set for May 20, 2026, is to get city leaders ready to introduce the Youth Climate Action Fund’s second iteration in their individual communities.
The selection of Accra has been characterised as a significant acknowledgement of the city’s dedication to inclusive governance, youth development, and climate action under the direction of the Mayor of Accra.
During the event, Mr. Gilbert Nii Ankrah, Head of Public Affairs at the Accra Metropolitan Assembly, revealed that Accra was expected to demonstrate how the city went beyond merely consulting youth to actively include them in local governance and decision-making.
According to the Fund, the city’s experience under YCAF 1.0 showed that, given the imagination, enthusiasm, and inventiveness that young people bring to climate solutions, youth involvement in government was not optional but rather crucial.
The Fund also noted that the initiative gave young people in Accra access to the city’s top decision-making body, the General Assembly, which helped change how the city incorporates youthful voices in decisions pertaining to development and climate change.
The panel discussion on May 20th would center on how participating cities set up their YCAF teams, planned and advertised their open calls, encouraged creative youth-led projects, and got ready for successful execution.
It is anticipated that Accra’s involvement in the YCAF 2.0 kick-off session will encourage other cities to embrace more inclusive strategies that put youth at the forefront of urban development, resilience-building, and climate action.
Source: newsthemegh.com