Climate Communications and Local Governance-Africa (CCLG-Africa) has celebrated five years of championing climate communication and grassroots climate action, reaffirming its commitment to empowering local communities to lead Africa’s response to climate change.
Marking its fifth anniversary, the organisation described the milestone as an opportunity not only to reflect on its achievements but also to renew calls for stronger environmental stewardship, citizen participation and policy action to confront the growing impacts of climate change.
CCLG-Africa, which was launched on August 2, 2021, at Parliament House in Accra, was established with the mission of communicating climate issues and localising climate action across Africa. Since its inception, the organisation has consistently promoted the message that meaningful climate action begins within local communities.
In a statement issued to commemorate the anniversary, the organisation noted that climate change is no longer a distant threat but a lived reality, evident in recurring floods, degraded farmlands and polluted rivers across Ghana and the continent.
It therefore urged citizens to end indiscriminate littering, plastic pollution, bush burning, the blocking of waterways and other environmentally destructive practices that continue to worsen climate vulnerabilities.
The organisation also called on Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to strictly enforce sanitation by-laws and integrate climate sustainability into local development planning. It further appealed to Parliament and Government to ensure that climate adaptation funds are channelled directly to local communities to support impactful climate resilience initiatives.
CCLG-Africa emphasised the critical role of the media and educators in promoting climate literacy and fostering sustainable environmental behaviours among citizens.
Reflecting on its journey over the past five years, the organisation highlighted several milestones, including convening Members of Parliament, local government officials, women, students, journalists and development partners across Africa to advance climate dialogue and action.
Among its notable achievements was the presentation of the Climate Clock to the Speaker and leadership of Ghana’s Parliament as a symbol of the country’s commitment to climate action. The organisation has also represented local voices at major global climate conferences, including COP26, COP27, COP28 and COP29, while advocating for stronger community participation in international climate negotiations.
Despite these accomplishments, CCLG-Africa stressed that the greatest challenge remains translating climate commitments into practical actions within homes, schools, workplaces and communities.
“The environment does not need speeches; it needs action. Communication is action; let us live it,” the organisation declared, urging governments, institutions and citizens alike to work together in protecting the environment for present and future generations.
By: Christian Kpesese
