The Africa office of the Institute of Diversity and Inclusion in Emergency Management (I-DIEM Africa) on Thursday, November 27, 2025, joined millions of Americans around the world in celebrating this year’s Thanksgiving Day, marking the occasion with a symbolic family-style dinner in Accra.
Held at the organization’s Ghana base, the gathering brought together staff, partners, and invited guests to reflect on the year’s achievements and the institution’s growing role in promoting climate resilience across African communities.
Welcoming participants, I-DIEM Africa Country Director, James Ekow Rhule, said the observance of Thanksgiving in Ghana was an act of solidarity with I-DIEM Global, whose origins are rooted in the United States. He noted that beyond its cultural ties, the day offered an opportunity for the organization to express gratitude for its progress on the continent.
“Thanksgiving is a moment to give thanks and appreciation to God,” Mr. Rhule said. “For us at I-DIEM Africa, we have every reason to be grateful. We have operated in Ghana for nearly three years, building coalitions and forging collaborations that support community climate change resilience. These partnerships have strengthened our mission and deepened our impact.”
The event was graced by Mr. Cedric Dzelu, Technical Director at the Office of the Minister of State for Climate Change and Sustainability under the Presidency, who served as Guest of Honour.
In his address, he commended I-DIEM Africa for upholding the spirit of Thanksgiving while aligning the celebration with discussions on climate and environmental governance.
Dzelu used the occasion to brief staff on Ghana’s newly enacted Environmental Protection Act, 2025 (Act 1124). Passed in January 2025, the law introduces several reforms aimed at strengthening climate governance, institutional accountability, and environmental compliance.
Focusing on Chapter Five of the Act, he explained that the section outlines critical responsibilities for mainstreaming climate change responses into national, sectoral, and district development plans. This mandate, he noted, underscores the importance of partnerships among government, civil society organizations, and community-level actors.
He encouraged I-DIEM Africa and other non-profits to leverage the new legislation to expand their engagement, explore new funding opportunities, and deepen collaborations in emerging areas such as emissions management, climate education, and compliance monitoring.
“The new law empowers organizations like yours to innovate and drive awareness on climate issues, including emission targets and adherence to climate obligations,” Dzelu emphasized. “This is the time to strengthen your networks and explore uncharted fields in climate governance.”
I-DIEM Africa is a non-profit organization headquartered in Accra. Working across the continent, it focuses on climate equity, disaster preparedness, and community resilience by promoting Community Crafted Resilience Solutions (CCRS®)—initiatives that elevate local knowledge and grassroots leadership in climate adaptation.
As the evening drew to a close, participants shared reflections on the year’s milestones, reaffirming I-DIEM Africa’s commitment to fostering inclusive, community-driven responses to climate change across Africa.
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