This year’s International Women’s Day was celebrated by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) with a sensitization program aimed at inspiring young women to use Phase II of the Youth Climate Action Fund and create creative responses to climate change.
Held at the Accra Technical University (ATU) with the topic “Advancing Women’s Role in the Digital Economy and AI Innovation,” the event aimed to encourage more female involvement in tech-driven and climate efforts as well as to empower women via technology.
Mr. BenSmith Afful, Acting Coordinator of the Youth Climate Action Project, spoke to the group and explained that the project was a component of AMA’s larger endeavor to support youth-led climate change action.
He disclosed that young individuals between the ages of 15 and 24 who are enthusiastic about developing community-based climate solutions are eligible to apply for Phase II of the Youth Climate Action Fund, which was introduced on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at Accra City Hall.
He stated that an extra $100,000 is allocated for the project’s second phase.
According to him, the fund provides funding for youth-led initiatives in fields like recycling, clean energy, activism, and climate education, with a range of $1,000 to $5,000.
“Climate change is an urgent crisis we have about 25 years left to reverse the damage or risk irreversible consequences. At 21 degrees Celsius, we already feel the impact. Scientists warn that by 2050, global temperatures could rise to 40 degrees if nothing is done,” Mr. Afful stressed.
He cited the accomplishments of the project’s first phase, in which St. Mary’s School students built a biogas plant that turned organic waste into clean cooking gas. H
He reassured the female students of AMA’s support and urged them to investigate creative climate ideas.
On Wednesday, April 3, 2025, Mr. Afful announced an ideation session at the AMA City Hall to assist candidates in honing their concepts. He encouraged others who might be interested to apply before the April 14, 2025, deadline.
The CEO of the Fibroid Foundation Africa, Dr. Elizabeth Korasare, urged intentional efforts to help girls enter fields like engineering, digital technology, and artificial intelligence (AI) that have historically been dominated by men.
She urged the young ladies to become digitally literate and to utilize resources such as the Youth Climate Action Fund in order to make a significant impact on their communities.
She urged that future editions be expanded to other regions of the nation, but she praised the AMA for starting the program. We are all impacted by climate change, which is real. We need to expand it across the country, but this is a good beginning,” she said.
A panel of professionals from academia and business spoke about the relationship between gender inclusion, innovation, and technology during the event.
These included Professor Ebenezer Malcalm, who was the dean of graduate studies at Ghana Communication Technology University; Professor (Mrs.) Smile Gavua-Smile, who was the acting director-general (management services) of the Ghana Education Service; Professor Amei Acakpo, who was the acting vice-chancellor of Accra Technical University; Nana Kofi Agyabeng Konadu, who was the CEO of Progressive Sage; Professor Nana Yaw Asabere, who was the dean of the Faculty of Applied Sciences at ATU; and Mr. Adjei Obed Oduro, who was the senior ICT assistant at ATU.
The engagement was a component of the American Medical Association’s (AMA) dedication to using innovation and strategic partnerships to advance youth development, gender equality, and inclusive climate action.
Source: newsthemegh.com