The writer
By Darling Maame Efua Cann
On October 31, 2024, as cities worldwide commemorate World Cities Day, the theme “Youth Leading Climate and Local Action for Cities” underscores the crucial role of young people in addressing the urgent climate crisis. This year’s Global Observance, held in Alexandria, Egypt, and organized by UN-Habitat, highlights youth advocacy for immediate, substantial climate resilience efforts and calls for local governments to prioritize sustainable development. Cities, while driving economic progress, are also on the frontline of climate threats that could undermine these gains. UN-Habitat emphasizes the need for governments to empower youth through education, skills training, and enterprise opportunities, particularly in informal settlements, as a vital path to urban resilience and reduced vulnerability.
Contributing over 80% of the world’s GDP, cities serve as economic engines, with higher GDP per capita often linked to urbanization. However, cities worldwide face climate hazards that threaten these economic gains, particularly impacting urban populations in informal settlements. In Africa alone, climate disasters have adversely affected 2.6 million people, underscoring the need to implement sustainable urban policies. UN-Habitat’s approach focuses on supporting youth, training them to lead sustainable practices, environmental conservation, and enterprise development to foster climate resilience within cities.
Gov’t commitment
In Ghana, the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation, and Rural Development has launched strategic projects aimed at climate resilience, sustainable growth, and community development.
Key initiatives such as the Ghana Secondary Cities Support Programme, the Gulf of Guinea Northern Regions Social Cohesion (SOCO) Project, the Ghana Smart SDG Cities Programme, the Green Project, and the Ghana Productive Safety Net Project (GPSNP) embody Ghana’s commitment to building resilient and sustainable cities.
These projects not only address Ghana’s specific urban challenges but also serve as models for community-centered, innovative approaches that empower local populations.
Support programme
This program bolsters growth in secondary cities by enhancing urban management, infrastructure, and service delivery. Improved road networks, waste management systems, and revitalized marketplaces have all contributed to economic activity and job creation. These upgrades enable secondary cities to serve their communities effectively, becoming hubs of resilience and regional growth.
SOCO aims to strengthen social cohesion and reduce fragility in northern Ghana while addressing climate vulnerabilities within communities often overlooked in urban development plans. By supporting sustainable agricultural practices and improving local governance, the project promotes community adaptation to environmental changes. Numerous youth have received vocational training, empowering them to lead sustainable practices in agriculture and small-scale enterprise, which helps stabilize these regions against future climate shocks.
Aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals, this program advances smart, sustainable, and inclusive growth in urban areas. Utilizing technology and data analytics, it enhances service delivery, reduces waste, and promotes eco-friendly urban management. The program has achieved significant reductions in energy consumption, optimizing public resources and promoting efficiency, illustrating how digital innovation is integral to building climate resilience.
Green project
The Green Project focuses on reforestation, urban farming, and sustainable infrastructure, addressing environmental degradation head-on. Through tree planting, the creation of urban green spaces, and the promotion of sustainable agriculture, the project fosters healthier, more climate-resilient urban areas, contributing to Ghana’s long-term climate adaptation goals.
GPSNP addresses urban and rural vulnerabilities by creating public employment opportunities focused on environmental conservation and income-generating activities. This project has improved the livelihoods of youth and women, while promoting environmentally sustainable practices that support both immediate economic needs and long-term resilience.
Youth empowerment and engagement are integral to these projects. Through targeted training, capacity building, and support initiatives, Ghana’s Ministry of Local Government ensures that young people are equipped to lead sustainable, resilient communities. Many young entrepreneurs have pioneered eco-friendly technologies, waste reduction initiatives, and green businesses within their localities, showcasing a youth-led movement toward a sustainable future.
Concerted efforts
World Cities Day 2024 is a timely reminder of the collective responsibility to build climate-resilient cities. For governments, this means prioritizing youth involvement in policy-making, urban planning, and sustainable development. Ghana’s initiatives, spearheaded by the Ministry of Local Government, provide inspiring examples of youth-led resilience strategies and sustainable infrastructure investments. With a firm focus on empowerment and infrastructure, these programs lay the foundation for a future where cities remain hubs of economic prosperity and are well-prepared for climate shocks.
As urban areas worldwide continue to experience the impacts of climate change, World Cities Day underscores the need to create sustainable urban spaces through collaboration, innovation, and youth investment. By supporting the youth of today, Ghana and other nations can build the climate champions of tomorrow, equipped to lead the charge in building a resilient, sustainable future for all.
The writer is a Public Relations Officer at the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation, and Rural Development (MLGDRD) and a staff member of the Information Services Department (ISD).
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