Students of the University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD) have been urged to take an active role in advancing Ghana’s climate adaptation agenda following a university training on the National Adaptation Plan (NAP).

The training, held on April 1, 2026, at the UESD campus, formed part of efforts to deepen youth engagement in climate policy and action.

Organised by the Youth Climate Council Ghana (YCCG), in collaboration with the Youth Bridge Foundation (YBF), the session was held under the theme: “From Policy to Action: Advancing Ghana’s National Adaptation Plan (NAP) through University Youth Engagement.”

Speaking at the event, the Research and Policy Officer of the YCCG, Emmanuella Manchaya Kalari, stressed that Ghana's NAP is not a document reserved for policymakers and technocrats, but a framework that depends on the active involvement of young people to succeed.

She noted that universities represent one of the most critical entry points for translating climate policy into community-level action and called on students to move beyond surface-level awareness and engage directly with the adaptation priorities outlined in the plan.

“Young people are key drivers of climate policies, and the NAP creates real opportunities for us to engage, influence decisions, and lead action in our communities. The responsibility now is for us to step forward and take up that space,” she said.

The Dean of Students of the UESD, Prof. Daniella Delali Sedega, lauded the initiative, describing it as timely and essential in the face of increasing climate risks. She urged students to remain committed to the goals of the NAP and to position themselves as key actors in its implementation.

According to her, the NAP presents multiple opportunities for youth involvement, particularly in sectors such as agriculture, water resources, health, infrastructure, and biodiversity. She stressed that students must move beyond awareness and actively contribute to building climate resilience within their communities.

The training provided participants with insights into Ghana’s NAP, a long-term strategy designed to strengthen resilience across all districts.

Discussions highlighted practical solutions, including health, agriculture and food security, water resources, biodiversity, and ecosystems.

Organisers noted that bridging the gap between policy and action requires informed and empowered youth, making such engagements critical to achieving a climate-resilient Ghana.