Tamale, Ghana — June 22, 2025
Climate change is an existential threat that demands urgent, inclusive, and informed action. The Water-Lily Foundation proudly announced its active participation in the 2025 Local Conference of Youth (LCOY) Ghana Regional Consultations, held at the Ghana Developing Communities Association (GDCA) Conference Room in Tamale.
The Executive Director of the Water-Lily Foundation served as one of the regional consultants for the consultations, contributing expertise to critical sessions on renewable energy, climate policies and governance, and water, sanitation & hygiene (WASH).
Organized in partnership with three outstanding youth-led organizations — Thrive Nest, The Rural Connect, and Allied Relief — the consultation brought together 20 passionate youth participants. Together, they explored 11 thematic areas, unpacking pressing climate challenges, emerging opportunities, and concrete demands to inform Ghana’s Youth Climate Action Roadmap (2025–2030).
Bridging the Knowledge Gap
One of the most striking revelations from the discussions was the limited awareness of existing climate policies in Ghana among participants. This highlighted a pressing need to bridge the information gap and bring young people closer to policy-making spaces.
From illegal mining, recurrent floods, to widespread open defecation, participants stressed that the consequences of poorly implemented or ineffective climate policies are evident in communities across the country. The solution, as emphasized during the sessions, lies in empowering youth with knowledge, amplifying their voices, and ensuring policies are participatory, inclusive, and enforceable.
Building a Climate-Resilient Ghana
The Water-Lily Foundation reaffirmed its commitment to supporting initiatives that place youth at the center of climate governance. “We cannot solve a crisis with the same structures that ignore those most affected. Our focus must be on building capacity, creating inclusive platforms, and designing policies that reflect the realities of communities on the frontlines of climate change,” the Executive Director noted.
As part of its ongoing work, the Foundation will continue to collaborate with stakeholders to ensure that Ghana’s Youth Climate Action Roadmap (2025–2030) not only serves as a guiding framework but also leads to tangible, grassroots-driven climate solutions.
The consultations in Tamale are part of a broader effort ahead of the Global Conference of Youth (COY17) and the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference (COP30), where youth voices from Ghana and Africa will contribute to shaping global climate action.