University of Ghana Marks World Environment Day 2025 with Focus on Waste-to-Wealth Innovations
Accra, Ghana – June 6, 2025
The University of Ghana, through its Africa Climate Collaborative Project, commemorated World Environment Day 2025 on Thursday, June 5, at the Centre for Climate Change and Sustainability Studies in Accra. The event, held under the theme “From Waste to Wealth: Driving Climate Action Through Innovation, Research, and Circular Solutions,” highlighted the transformative potential of sustainable waste management in advancing climate action.
The celebration brought together senior government officials, institutional leaders, researchers, entrepreneurs, and students to showcase innovative waste-to-wealth initiatives, with a spotlight on the Africa Climate Collaborative Compost Project—a scalable model for converting organic waste into valuable resources. The programme aimed to shift public discourse from pollution challenges to opportunities for climate-smart entrepreneurship and sustainability.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister of State, Climate Change and Sustainability, Mr. Cedric Dzelu, Technical Lead at the Ministry, emphasised the crucial role academia plays in shaping real-world climate solutions. “It is crucial to translate academic ideas into tangible, real-world applications, and that is where academia comes in.” he stated.
The event featured a high-level panel discussion with local and international experts exploring strategies to scale waste-to-wealth innovations across Ghana and the continent. Discussions centred on inclusive climate action, with a strong emphasis on youth as agents of change.
A key session showcased the Africa Climate Collaborative Compost Project, detailing its methodology, impact, and potential for replication across other sectors. In parallel, graduate students presented climate-related research during a poster session, while a Climate Innovation Exhibition featured eco-entrepreneurial ventures, including student-led start-ups and community-driven initiatives.
Africa Climate Collaborative Project is a multi-institutional initiative involving the University of Ghana, the University of Cambridge, Makerere University, and the University of Cape Town, with the goal of building human capital for climate-resilient economies in Africa. The project is led by Professor Gordon A. Awandare, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Academic and Student Affairs) at the University of Ghana.
Running over the next eight years, the Collaborative seeks to enhance climate resilience through innovation, research, and entrepreneurship. It fosters partnerships between science, industry, and communities to develop and scale climate-smart solutions, support existing businesses in transitioning to sustainable practices, and accelerate the growth of climate-focused start-ups.
The initiative is also advancing high-quality, policy-relevant research through the establishment of Climate Resilience Research Labs, climate learning observatories, and regional study sites, enabling transdisciplinary collaboration across academic institutions and community networks.
In addition, Africa Climate Collaborative Project remains committed to catalysing systemic change by expanding institutional partnerships, supporting inclusive policy development, and ensuring that marginalised and vulnerable populations are active participants in climate governance. Through its strong emphasis on youth engagement and capacity building, the initiative is empowering a new generation of researchers, entrepreneurs, and leaders to shape Africa’s climate future.
With this year’s World Environment Day event, the University of Ghana has once again demonstrated its leadership in climate innovation and reaffirmed its commitment to advancing sustainability through research, education, and community-based action
Media Contact: Osei Kofi Addy
Email: okaddy@ug.edu.gh
Phone: 0243882059