By Yussif Ibrahim
Kumasi, May 8, GNA – Opoku Ware School (OWASS) and Kumasi Girls Senior High School are the latest beneficiaries of the Bloomberg Youth Climate Action Fund, following the launch of a six-month youth climate initiative by Rights and Responsibilities Initiatives Ghana (RRIG).
With financial backing from Bloomberg Philanthropies, channeled through the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), the project aims to empower young people aged 15–24 to lead initiatives promoting a plastic-free environment and fostering climate change adaptation and mitigation.
The initiative will be implemented in collaboration with the Kumasi Metro Education Directorate.
Through its Youth Climate Action Fund, Bloomberg Philanthropies is offering technical and financial support to 100 mayors globally, enabling them to engage thousands of young people in crafting and executing local climate solutions.
Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly is one of such beneficiaries.
Key Objectives of the Project include promoting plastic-free school environments through clean-up exercises and awareness campaigns, educating students about the local impact of climate change and the importance of reducing plastic waste, as well as encouraging waste segregation to facilitate recycling and composting.
It also seeks to establish and strengthen environmental clubs to promote sustainable practices and inspire youth entrepreneurship through income-generating activities centered on recycled waste.
Mrs. Henrietta Aboagye, Public Relations Officer of KMA, revealed that the Assembly had secured USD 50,000 to be disbursed in microgrants to support youth-led climate action projects within the Metropolis.
“This funding has been awarded to institutions that have shown a proactive commitment to addressing climate change,” she stated.
According to her, the KMA secured the second round of funding following the successful implementation of the project last year, disclosing that 26 individuals and organisations have been selected to implement and monitor the initiatives.
She further spoke about ongoing efforts to educate both the public and students on proper waste disposal techniques.
Mr. Samuel Yaw Gyamfi, Project Officer of RRIG, outlined the core activities planned for the schools, including regular plastic waste clean-up exercises, awareness campaigns through workshops, seminars and educational talks, and strategic placement of clearly labeled waste bins to encourage proper waste segregation.
He said assessments would be conducted to evaluate the status of post-consumer plastic waste in schools and to determine the adequacy of dustbins and cleaning tools.
Each school will receive two types of labeled dustbins—one for plastic waste and the other for organic materials, Mr. Gyamfi disclosed.
Mrs. Adellaide Biyaa-Powers, Headmistress of Kumasi Girls SHS, expressed deep appreciation for the project, pledging her full support.
She committed to encouraging all students to actively engage, viewing the initiative as a valuable opportunity to instill environmental responsibility and promote sustainable living.
She also announced plans to integrate the project into the school’s environmental education curriculum.
GNA
YI/KOA