Vision Seed Academy Hosts Climate Change Awareness Programme
Students of the Junior High School Division of Vision Seed Academy in Accra have taken part in a climate change training and sensitization programme aimed at deepening their understanding of environmental issues and their socio-economic implications.
The programme was jointly organized by the Institute of Green Growth Solutions (IGGS) an independent policy think tank dedicated to sustainable development through research, advocacy, and capacity building and the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) Foundation, a global think tank committed to advancing development cooperation.
Held under the theme “Building Resilience to Climate Change in Ghana”, the seminar forms part of a broader project to raise awareness among Ghanaian school children about the connection between environmental degradation, climate change, and their effects on livelihoods and national development.
IGGS’ Commitment to Climate Action
In his remarks, Mr. Henry Bortey Otchwemah, Environmental Consultant at IGGS, emphasized the organization’s long-standing dedication to promoting sustainable and coordinated climate action at local, continental, and global levels.
He explained that IGGS has consistently worked to strengthen Ghana’s national agenda on climate adaptation and resilience, particularly by supporting citizens to reduce their vulnerability to climate risks. According to him, the institute remains focused on driving initiatives aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“IGGS is committed to ensuring that environmental concerns are at the heart of national decision-making processes. Our goal is a cleaner environment ‘for all and by all’ achieved through education, advocacy, and awareness creation,” he said.
Presentations on Environmental Challenges
During the seminar, Mr. Leonard Hasu, Operations Manager at IGGS, highlighted how unsustainable activities such as deforestation, timber exploitation, and shifting cultivation expose the land to extreme heat. This, he explained, disrupts the water cycle, reduces evapotranspiration, and contributes to droughts and erratic weather conditions.
He also identified pressing environmental challenges like plastic pollution, illegal mining (galamsey), siltation of rivers and lakes, and the discharge of domestic waste into water bodies all of which aggravate the climate crisis and hinder sustainable development.
Ms. Sandra Kesse, an IGGS Consultant, spoke on building climate resilience. She defined resilience as the ability of systems and communities to adapt, reorganize, and evolve in ways that improve sustainability while preparing for future climate impacts.
She urged students to see themselves as agents of change, practicing and promoting good environmental habits such as tree planting, rainwater harvesting, and the use of energy-efficient products.
“To tackle water scarcity, desertification, and threats to livelihoods, young people must actively engage in sustainable practices that protect the environment and inspire others to do the same,” she stressed.
Understanding Climate Change
The seminar also clarified the concept of climate change, especially the difference between natural climate variations and anthropogenic (human-driven) climate change commonly known as global warming. While global warming refers specifically to rising surface temperatures, climate change encompasses a wider range of impacts caused by increasing greenhouse gas emissions.
By engaging school children in climate education, IGGS and its partners aim to instill lifelong awareness of environmental challenges and empower the next generation to contribute to sustainable solutions.
Reported by: Amesimeku Jerry Tonyi
Video Editor / Reporter, Express News Ghana
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