Accra, Ghana – The Young Professional and Youth Coalition (YPYC) has called on young people to intensify their climate activism efforts to meet the objectives set for the upcoming ‘Conference of the Parties’ (COP28). This call to action was issued in a statement to the Ghana News Agency in Accra, in preparation for a high-level virtual youth conference scheduled for November 27. Andy Osei Okrah, President and Founder of YPYC, emphasized the importance of youth involvement in climate change initiatives and encouraged them to engage with various local programs that contribute to the global challenge.
According to Ghana News Agency, the YPYC is committed to joining international efforts to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change on humanity and livelihoods. He highlighted the significance of behavioral change in empowering youth to take ownership and actively participate in environmental conservation. The conference aims to target student leaders, tertiary students, young professionals, youth advocates, and climate change ambassadors, urging them to become proactive brand ambassadors for climate action.
The conference will explore strategies to balance the need for a healthy, regulated climate with human dependence on it for research, industrial growth, and technological advancements. Mr. Osei Okrah stressed the need for collective mobilization to elevate environmental issues in political and economic discussions. He pointed out that global warming, being a universal concern, requires a unified response since greenhouse gas emissions affect people globally. The YPYC Founder advocated for a fair and inclusive decision-making process to address the challenges of increased heat and drought in various parts of the world.
Speakers at the conference will include notable figures such as Miss Roselyn Fosuah Adjei, Director of Climate Change at the Forestry Commission; Professor Daniel Ofori, Director at the Forest Research Institute of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research; and Miss Dora Cudjoe, lead stakeholder engagement at CIF, USA. The conference is set to play a pivotal role in mobilizing youth for effective climate action, aligning with the broader objectives of COP28.