June 3 floods a grim reminder of climate risk – Okoe Vanderpuije

The Member of Parliament for Ablekuma South and former Mayor of Accra, Alfred Okoe Vanderpuije, has issued a passionate call for urgent climate action, warning that the devastating floods of June 3, 2015, must serve as a stark reminder of the risks posed by inaction.
Speaking at an event organized by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) to mark this year’s International Earth Day, the former Mayor urged young people to seize the opportunity presented by the Youth Climate Action Fund (YCAF) to implement innovative, transformative solutions that protect the environment and reshape the city.

“We cannot forget june 3”
Reflecting on the tragic events of nearly a decade ago, Vanderpuije described the chaos and loss that engulfed the city of Accra on that fateful day. As torrential rains triggered massive flooding, lives were lost and entire communities were submerged. “June 3, 2015, is a date we must never forget,” he said.
“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.”

Youth must take the lead
As Chairperson of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Committee, Mr Vanderpuije emphasized that climate change is no longer a distant possibility—it is a present and escalating danger.
He stated, “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.”
He described the youth-led projects selected under the second phase of YCAF as critical to advancing the city’s resilience. Urging recipients to take their work seriously, he said,
“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.”

Honouring a global climate voice
Mr Vanderpuije also took a moment to pay tribute to the late Pope, whose message of climate advocacy he described as deeply inspirational.
He recalled a meeting at the Vatican where the Pope encouraged mayors to lead and empowered youth to take charge of their environmental future.
“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 said.

Selection process and promising projects
The Metropolitan Coordinating Director, Mr. Douglas N.K Annoful, thanked the former Mayor for his unwavering support of the AMA and his strong stance on environmental issues.
He explained that since the launch of YCAF Phase II on March 19, 2025, the assembly has worked diligently to evaluate all applications and identify deserving projects.
Acting project lead, Ben Smith, disclosed that 58 applications were received during the call for proposals.
After a rigorous assessment by a panel of experts using predefined evaluation criteria, 20 of the most promising and impactful projects were selected.
These projects were chosen based on their alignment with the objectives of the Youth Climate Action Fund and the broader Accra Climate Action Plan (2021–2025).
The selected projects span a diverse range of themes, from promoting the Accra Climate Action Plan through photography, documentary and drama series, to community-led waste segregation, composting and public education.
Others focus on urban gardening, climate change advocacy through school-based activities, cycling as a sustainable transport option, clean energy innovation using coconut husk, and empowering young leaders through climate summits and training initiatives such as the Apata Initiative.
Mr. Annoful urged the beneficiaries to closely monitor the execution of their initiatives, noting that the assembly’s ability to benefit from future phases of the YCAF program depends on the success and credibility of this current phase. He emphasized that building a resilient and climate-smart Accra requires both innovation and accountability.
As the city marks another Earth Day, the message from its former mayor is clear: the fight against climate change must begin now, and it must be led by those who have the most at stake—the youth.