Young innovators in Kumasi have unveiled bold and practical climate-smart solutions at the Phase 2 Exhibition of the Youth Climate Action Fund (YCAF), held on August 27, 2025, at the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) Conference Hall.
The exhibition highlighted how youth-led projects are shaping the fight against climate change, improving waste management, creating green jobs, and promoting sustainable living in Ghana’s second-largest city.
Among the standout projects was the smart solar-powered dustbin developed by 3-in-1 Tech Waste Solutions to modernize waste collection. Sunawash introduced eco-friendly soaps made from plantain peels, encouraging the use of sustainable raw materials. GAPS KNUST also showcased green charcoal, produced from coconut husks, offering a cleaner alternative to traditional wood-based charcoal.
Other innovations included climate education campaigns by Green Awareness International, aimed at raising awareness among schools and communities; smoke detectors created by Martyrs of Uganda School to enhance fire safety; climate-resilient vegetable research led by Echo Youth Alliance; and sustainable practices promoted by Crusaders, including composting, tree planting, waste segregation, and biogas production.
The Mayor of Kumasi, Hon. Richard Kwasi Ofori Boadi Agyemang, who opened the exhibition, praised the ingenuity of the youth and assured them of the Assembly’s full support. He announced that the KMA would provide an open-door policy to ensure collaboration, technical support, and financial assistance for scaling up the innovations.
“These projects show that our young people are ready to take ownership of the fight against climate change,” the Mayor said. “They are not just innovators but change-makers whose creativity can transform Kumasi into a greener, more climate-resilient city. The KMA will continue to back their efforts to ensure these ideas grow into impactful enterprises that both protect the environment and create employment.”
The Youth Climate Action Fund (YCAF), supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), empowers youth groups worldwide to design and implement climate projects. This year’s theme, “Youth Climate Action!! Stewards of the Environment”, reflects the program’s focus on positioning young people at the forefront of environmental stewardship.
Organisers of the exhibition expressed optimism that the projects would attract both local and international partnerships to accelerate their impact. They also applauded the KMA for committing to integrate youth innovation into the city’s broader sustainability and climate agenda.
With Kumasi working towards building a sustainable, eco-friendly, and climate-resilient city, the exhibition reaffirmed the growing role of youth in shaping innovative pathways to tackle climate challenges.
