ActionAid Ghana, in collaboration with its youth movements, has organised a climate advocacy campaign titled “Climate Justice Now” under the theme “Pedal for a Safer Planet: Cycling for a Just Transition.”
The campaign brought together members of Activista Ghana, Young Urban Women’s Movement (YUWM), Young Females Platform, and smallholder women farmers to cycle and walk through Tamale‘s principal streets, accompanied by brass band music led by musician Don Sigli, who amplified climate justice messages.
The march began at Jubilee Park, passed through the Central Market area, and concluded at Nyohini Dam.
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The initiative sought to amplify calls for greater investment in green transition efforts as Ghana and the global community prepare for COP 30 in Belém, Brazil, this November.
Mr John Nkaw, Country Director of ActionAid Ghana, emphasised the organisation’s commitment to addressing climate vulnerabilities that disproportionately affect women and marginalised communities.
“As a gender-focused organisation, we prioritise working with women’s groups to demand their rights.
It is imperative that we collaborate with government officials, youth, and women groups to speak on issues such as drying water bodies and biodiversity loss,” he said, urging government and global actors to increase investment in renewable energy technologies for a just transition.
Mrs Beatrice Biije, Programmes Manager of ActionAid Ghana’s Northern Regional Office, highlighted ongoing efforts to empower women financially through year-round agricultural support, including irrigation initiatives beyond seasonal farming.
Ms Sumaya Sulemana of YUWM underscored the gendered impacts of climate change, particularly in land ownership and access, calling on stakeholders to provide opportunities that empower women.
Mr Abdul Latif Issahaku, Coordinator of Activista Ghana in the Northern Region, stressed the link between youth unemployment and climate impacts, advocating for government investment in green jobs to protect livelihoods.
Mrs Bintu Abubakar, President of Smallholder Women Farmers, lauded ActionAid Ghana’s support for women in agriculture and called for more interventions in land acquisition, loans, grants, and irrigation facilities to enable year-round farming and animal rearing.
The campaign also included advocacy pitches from youth movements and the presentation of a petition to President John Dramani Mahama through the Northern Regional Minister at his residence.
The “Pedal for Safer Planet” initiative forms part of ActionAid Ghana’s broader efforts to advance climate justice, empower women and youth, and contribute to a greener, fairer, and safer planet in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals.
