Accra, 11 September 2025 – The call for bold and innovative solutions to youth unemployment and climate change in Ghana took center stage at the African Youth Conference on Natural Resource and Environmental Governance (AYC-NREG 2025), as Hon. Paul Twum-Barimah, former Member of Parliament for Dormaa East, made a compelling case for the creation of a National Youth Green Finance Facility.
The facility, he argued, would be a game-changer in unlocking capital for youth-led green enterprises, positioning young people not only as beneficiaries but as central drivers of Ghana’s green transition. His proposal was delivered before an audience of over 2,000 delegates, including youth leaders, entrepreneurs, government officials, development partners, civil society actors, and financiers gathered in Accra.
Empowering Youth Through Finance
In his keynote address, Hon. Twum-Barimah underscored the urgency of breaking the cycle of unemployment and environmental degradation by equipping young Ghanaians with the resources to lead in the emerging green economy.
“We cannot continue to allow Ghana’s youth to remain on the sidelines of the energy transition and climate action,” he declared. “By establishing a National Youth Green Finance Facility, we will de-risk youth ventures, open access to affordable capital, and position young entrepreneurs as the vanguard of our sustainable future.”
The former legislator, widely recognized as an advocate for sustainable energy and climate policy, has been vocal in highlighting the need for youth-centered development approaches. His latest call reflects a consistent vision to place young people at the heart of Ghana’s sustainable development agenda.
Ghana’s Untapped Green Potential
Hon. Twum-Barimah pointed out that Ghana is endowed with vast renewable energy potential, critical green minerals, and rich agribusiness opportunities. However, despite these advantages, access to finance remains the single greatest obstacle preventing young innovators from scaling up climate-smart businesses.
He noted that while youth across the country are developing solutions in renewable energy, recycling, eco-friendly agriculture, and clean technologies, most of these ideas remain at pilot stage due to the lack of financial backing. The proposed Green Finance Facility, he argued, would help to bridge this gap.
According to him, the facility could be structured to:
- Provide concessional loans, grants, and guarantees tailored to youth-led enterprises;
- Partner with local banks and international climate finance institutions such as the Green Climate Fund and African Development Bank to mobilize resources;
- Support inclusive financing strategies targeting young women, rural entrepreneurs, and persons with disabilities; and
- Build a pipeline of investment-ready green businesses contributing to Ghana’s development priorities and Africa’s Agenda 2063.
Such a mechanism, he emphasized, would not only address financing barriers but also build confidence among private investors to support innovative climate enterprises led by the youth.
Green Finance as a Pathway to Jobs and Innovation
For Hon. Twum-Barimah, green finance is more than just climate action—it is about jobs, innovation, and dignity. He stressed that investing in the youth through sustainable finance will create opportunities that empower them to lead in industries that are vital to Ghana’s future.
“Green finance is not just about climate action; it is about jobs, innovation, and dignity for Ghana’s youth,” he said passionately. “The Facility will ensure that our young people are not just beneficiaries of policy but drivers of sustainable growth.”
His words resonated strongly with delegates, many of whom represented youth groups working in clean energy, sustainable agriculture, and conservation. The sentiment shared across the conference hall was clear: the time to act is now, and the youth must be provided with tangible tools to seize opportunities within the green economy.
Call for Partnership and Collaboration
Hon. Twum-Barimah further appealed to financial institutions, private investors, and development partners to collaborate with government in making the proposed Green Finance Facility a reality. He stressed that multi-sectoral collaboration will be critical to operationalising the initiative, ensuring that it is robust, transparent, and sustainable.
He urged policymakers to integrate the facility into Ghana’s broader climate and energy transition strategy, aligning it with national frameworks and international commitments under the Paris Agreement. Doing so, he said, would position Ghana as a leader in youth-driven climate innovation in Africa.
“Ghana has the chance to set a precedent for the continent,” he explained. “If we get this right, we will create a model that can be replicated across Africa, ensuring that our youth are empowered as agents of change rather than passive observers.”
African Youth Conference on NREG 2025
The African Youth Conference on Natural Resource and Environmental Governance (NREG 2025) provided the perfect backdrop for this call. Held under the theme “Transforming Africa’s Natural Resource Governance Through Youth-Led Solutions”, the conference brought together young leaders from across Africa to explore pathways for inclusive and sustainable management of natural resources.
Discussions centered on the role of youth in reshaping governance models, promoting renewable energy, advancing sustainable agriculture, and strengthening environmental protection. The event showcased youth-led innovations from across the continent, underscoring the central role of the next generation in addressing Africa’s pressing environmental challenges.
By placing young people at the forefront of the conversation, the conference highlighted a shared continental vision: that Africa’s future depends on harnessing the energy, creativity, and resilience of its youth.
Hon. Twum-Barimah’s Legacy of Advocacy
Hon. Paul Twum-Barimah has long been associated with bold policy advocacy in the fields of energy and climate governance. As a legislator, he consistently championed initiatives that combined economic growth with environmental sustainability.
His call for a National Youth Green Finance Facility aligns with his broader vision of building inclusive structures that empower young people to play a central role in shaping Ghana’s future. For him, the fight against climate change is inseparable from the fight against unemployment and poverty. By marrying green finance with youth empowerment, he envisions a pathway where environmental sustainability and economic prosperity reinforce each other.
Looking Ahead
The proposal for a National Youth Green Finance Facility comes at a critical time for Ghana. With the country seeking to diversify its economy, attract investment, and strengthen its resilience to climate change, the youth stand at the intersection of opportunity and innovation.
If implemented, the facility could unlock a new era of entrepreneurship, positioning Ghana not only as a hub for green innovation but also as a beacon of hope for African countries grappling with similar challenges.
As the African Youth Conference on NREG 2025 concludes, the message from Hon. Twum-Barimah continues to reverberate: Ghana’s youth must no longer be on the sidelines. They must be equipped, empowered, and financed to lead the transformation towards a sustainable future.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Office of Hon. Paul Twum-Barimah
Email: paul.twum.barimah@gmail.com
