Ghana has made significant strides in the fight against climate change, with the Green Africa Youth Organization (GAYO) being announced as the winner of the prestigious 2024 Earthshot Prize in the “Clean Our Air” category. The prize, established by Prince William, recognizes individuals, organizations, and communities working to solve global environmental problems. The leadership of GAYO, jointly led by Executive Director Richard Martey and Co-founder Desmond Alugnoa, recently paid a courtesy call on the Minister of State for Climate Change and Sustainability. During this meeting, they presented the 2024 Earthshot Prize and discussed opportunities for deeper cooperation. GAYO’s innovative “Zero Waste Model” has been recognized for its community-based approach to sustainable waste management, pollution reduction, and the creation of green jobs for young people, women, and other vulnerable groups.
- Organic waste reduction: 104 tonnes of organic waste were prevented from reaching landfills in 2023 alone.
- Plastic waste reduction: 66 tonnes of plastic waste were prevented from reaching landfills in 2023 alone.
- Green job creation: Over 70 green jobs have been created as a result of GAYO’s Zero Waste Model.
- Positive impact on people: More than 5,000 people have been positively impacted by GAYO’s work.
This achievement demonstrates the significant reductions in CO₂ emissions and improved air quality that GAYO’s model has contributed to. The Earthshot Prize includes £1 million to support GAYO’s scale-up efforts and has brought growing global attention to the organization’s work.
Key Messages from the Meeting
The minister warmly congratulated GAYO for their outstanding achievement, emphasizing the government’s commitment to empowering youth-led environmental innovations.
“GAYO’s Earthshot win is a proud moment for Ghana. It demonstrates what is possible when passion meets purpose. As a Ministry, we are eager to explore how we can support your scale-up efforts and integrate such impactful models into our national environmental strategies.”
The meeting concluded with discussions around formal partnerships in the areas of community waste management, youth climate training, and support for GAYO’s expansion into other regions.
| Area | Objective |
| Community Waste Management | Develop and implement a community-based waste management system to reduce waste and promote recycling. |
| Youth Climate Training | Provide training and capacity-building programs for young people to develop climate change mitigation and adaptation skills. |
| Expansion into Other Regions | Support GAYO’s expansion into other regions of Ghana and the continent to scale up its impact. |
With the growing global attention and the £1 million prize funding, GAYO is poised to accelerate its work and help shape a cleaner, greener, and more inclusive future.
Defining a Sustainable Future
The Earthshot Prize recognizes the impact of community-driven initiatives like GAYO’s Zero Waste Model. It highlights the need for governments, organizations, and individuals to work together to address global environmental challenges.
- Sustainable development: GAYO’s Zero Waste Model is a prime example of sustainable development, which prioritizes economic growth, social equity, and environmental protection.
- Community engagement: The model demonstrates the importance of community engagement in environmental initiatives, which fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility among community members.
- Climate justice: GAYO’s work addresses climate justice by creating green jobs and reducing pollution, which benefits vulnerable groups and contributes to a more equitable society.
By exploring partnerships and collaborations, GAYO and the government can create a more sustainable future for all.
