SYND Relaunches C4C Action Campaign in Accra
Story by: Magdalene Duncan
The Strategic Youth Network for Development (SYND) has relaunched the Children for Climate Action Campaign (C4C) in Accra over the weekend.
Giving a background of Children for Climate Action Campaign (C4C) at the gathering, Mr Chibeze Ezekiel, the Executive Coordinator of SYND Ghana said, the Campaign was started in the month, September 2019 as part of the September global climate week celebration organised every year to create awareness on the need for climate change actions.
According to him, the C4C Action Campaign was started to build the capacity of children and educate them on climate change issues.
This approach he noted was carried out through schools but due to the out break of the COVID-19 pandemic it was halted.
SYND Relaunches C4C Action Campaign in Accra
However “today the campaign is being relaunched because we want to allow our younger brothers and sisters to also become active climate activists as well as environmentalists in their own small way”, he stressed.
The SYND Executive Coordinator was of the view that many at times, we disregard the roles and relevance of children with regards to climate activities.
But explained that, children when engaged can also become very good influencers adding “some times we take it for granted that they can influence their parents at home, their peers at school ,at church, their communities and wherever they find themselves.
Cross Section of participants at the Relaunch of C4C
“Therefore it is important to get them involved to make them agents of climate change”, he emphasized.
This he noted is of urgent because it is very difficult to change an adult; the old generation is getting older whiles the younger generation today are the future leaders.
“If we want to solve or make certain objectives for the year 2030, 2050, then its crucial that we get the younger ones in because in the next 20 to 30 years, most of them will be at the realms of affairs.
To ensure the above, SYND Mr. Chibeze noted is in partnership with sister organizations to take up this campaign upon themselves to help the younger ones to also showcase what they can offer in their own small ways.
This is to give our children a platform to showcase their skills in terms of reciting poems, writing stories among others to express themselves on climate change.
SYND Relaunches C4C Action Campaign in Accra
He was optimistic that wherever children find themselves they will also be conscious of these efforts that are being put in place for them.
Also addressing participants, Mr. Ok Neequaye Tetteh, Managing Consultant of Effort for Educational Council, spoke on the need to go out and educate people about climate issues.
“Education is the key, we need to educate people, we need to use these young ones to educate their parents, to educate their peers as well use these young ones to carry that message that there must be a change”, she said.
Adding her voice to the occasion, Madam Anita Gendor, founder of Green Generation Ghana, was of the view that ,”its our divine responsibility to take care of the earth God has given us” and further spoke on the need for us as human beings to learn to separate our waste even at home.
SYND Relaunches C4C Action Campaign in Accra
This she said will help to cut down the cost of disposing off waste and also help not only to save the environment but also save lives.
She therefore admonished the participants to never belittle the little things they do hence encouraged them to be open minded, have fun and share ideas and contribute to the program.
In his closing remarks, Mr Chibeze Ezekiel declared the C4C Action Campaign duly relaunched and used the opportunity to thank all participants, partners and sponsors who made the relaunch possible.
On the way forward, Mr Sarfoh Danquah, outlined the Relaunch Action Plan for the coming months.
SYND Relaunches C4C Action Campaign in Accra
The Relaunch Action Plan he revealed has been divided into three main quarters that, activities will be carried out through various schools to educate pupils on climate change, organise workshops for interested children and their parents, organise a plastic recovery project and the climax, a climate inter schools quiz competition to be held as part of celebration of World Climate day in June, 2022.
The expected outcome according to Mr Sarfoh is to increase pupils’ practical knowledge and to have good knowledge in climate change and the environment.
Also to open their minds hence become more knowledgeable practically, be able to create and find solutions on their own when they are faced with climate challenges in their homes, schools etc.
The program brought together both online and onsite participants among whom were pupils of Jack and Jil School, Wisdom Home Academy, parents and teachers, and partners of SYND globally.
The relaunch of Children for Climate Action Campaign (C4C) was partnered by French Embassy,Green Generation, Wabcam, Abantu for Development, 350 Africa, Parents for Future Global, Our Kids Climate, My Heros and SYND.
Source: www.thenewindependentonline.com
