Climate action can become Ghana's next economic opportunity - EPA Director

The Director of Climate Change and Ozone at the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), Felix Addo Okyere, has said Ghana must treat climate action as an economic opportunity and not only as an environmental challenge.

According to him, the green transition could create new businesses, skills, and jobs for young people.

Speaking at the grand finale of the Green Race Hackathon 2026, organised by the University of Ghana on Friday, August 21, 2026, Addo Okyere said Ghana’s young people could play a leading role in building a greener economy.

“Climate change is not only a threat. It is also an opportunity to create jobs, businesses, and new industries,” he said.

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He said the transition towards a greener economy would increase demand for new technologies, skills, and enterprises.

“Our young people can become entrepreneurs, innovators, and creators of green jobs,” he said.

Addo Okyere also urged innovators to focus on solutions that address real-world problems instead of creating technology simply for competition.

“The question is not whether we can build an impressive application. The question is: does it solve a real problem?” he asked.

He said climate technology could support farmers, help communities prepare for climate risks, improve environmental protection, and create new employment opportunities.

“Technology must move from the screen into the lives of people,” he said.

Addo Okyere, however, called for climate solutions that are affordable and inclusive, particularly for women, persons with disabilities, young people and vulnerable communities.

“If people cannot afford it or cannot access it, it is not a successful climate solution,” he said.

Addo Okyere challenged the five finalist teams to take their innovations beyond the hackathon and turn them into businesses and solutions that can deliver lasting value.

“Do not stop at the prototype. Move from ideas to application and from application to impact,” he said.

ANAS/MA

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