#WorldEarthDay: June 3 floods serve as grim reminder of climate inaction – Fmr Accra Mayor

The Member of Parliament for Ablekuma South and former Mayor of Accra, Alfred Okoe Vanderpuije has cited the devastating June 3, 2015 floods as a stark warning of what could happen if urgent climate action is not taken, urging young people to take advantage of the opportunities provided by the Youth Climate Action Fund (YCAF) to implement innovative solutions that would transform the city and safeguard the environment.

Speaking at an event organised by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) to commemorate this year’s International Earth Day under the theme “Our Power, Our Planet,” and unveil winners of the second phase of the Youth Climate Action Fund (YCAF), the former Mayor recalled the tragic events of nearly a decade ago, emphasising the need for a proactive approach.

“June 3, 2015, is a date we must never forget. That day, Accra hosted over 50 mayors from across the world. As we escorted our guests to the airport, the city came to a complete standstill. Floodwaters submerged entire communities, and lives were lost. That is the face of climate change” he said.

The Chairperson of the Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Committee of Parliament warned that the threat of climate-induced disasters remains very real, noting that “We cannot keep doing things the same way. Climate change is not just a distant threat—it’s here, and it’s destroying lives. The city of Accra must act, and the youth must be at the forefront of this action.”

Describing the youth-led projects being funded under the YCAF as critical interventions, he challenged recipients to use the support to bring visible, lasting change.

“This is not just about grants—it’s about responsibility. The evidence of your impact must be clear in how you manage waste, generate clean energy, and adapt our city to climate realities,” he urged.

He also paid tribute to the late Pope, praising his global advocacy on climate change and encouraging young people to carry on his legacy.

“He told us at the Vatican that mayors must lead, and that the youth must take charge. That message must live on through our actions” he pointed out.

The Metropolitan Coordinating Director, Mr. Douglas N.K Annoful, expressed appreciation to the former Mayor for his commitment to the Assembly and climate change issues.

He explained that following the launch of phase two of the Youth Climate Action Fund on 19th March 2025, it became necessary for the assembly to initiate processes to select beneficiaries for the second phase.

Mr. Annoful mentioned that applications had been opened and evaluated successfully and that it was apparent to gather and announce winners of the fund. He further advised the youth who would benefit from the fund to be mindful of what had been done in the previous year.

He urged them to closely monitor the applications they had submitted, emphasizing that the assembly could only benefit from future phases of the program if the current phase was implemented effectively.

Acting project lead, BenSmith, disclosed that the selected projects for implementation include: Promoting the Accra Climate Action Plan through Photography, Documentary and Drama Series, Urban Gardening and Beautification with Advocacy Seminars, Advocacy for Climate Change through Quizzes and Debates, Green Above the Sky of Accra, and Youth Summit: Engaging and Empowering Future Leaders on Climate Change.

Others are Community-led Waste Segregation, Composting and Public Education, Bike Your “Trotro”: Promoting Cycling as a Sustainable Transport Option, Transforming Coconut Husk into Clean Energy, and The Apata Initiative.

He pointed out that a total of fifty-eight (58) applications were received during the call for proposals and after a rigorous assessment by a panel of experts using predefined evaluation criteria, the 20 most promising and impactful initiatives were selected based on their alignment with the objectives of the Youth Climate Action Fund and the Accra Climate Action Plan (2021–2025).

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