Creatives must shape climate policies from the outset, not serve as last-minute amplifiers – GAYO
The Director of Operations and Programmes at the Green Africa Youth Organisation (GAYO), Betty Osei Bonsu Adjei, has called for the early involvement of creatives in climate initiatives, arguing that they should help shape decisions rather than be brought in at the final stages to promote them. She said artists, musicians, filmmakers and other cultural […]
Betty Osei Bonsu Adjei, Director of Operations and Programmes at the Green Africa Youth Organisation (GAYO), has urged creatives to be integral from the beginning of climate initiatives. She believes that artists, musicians, filmmakers, and other cultural practitioners possess the skills to shape climate discussions and influence decisions.
However, their contributions are often overlooked when they are excluded from the initial stages of planning. During the opening panel discussion at the Climate x Culture Summit 2026, Adjei highlighted how creatives can utilise their understanding of audiences and storytelling abilities to effectively communicate climate change messages.
She stressed that climate programmes are usually developed by policymakers, researchers, and development organizations, with creatives added at the last minute to promote decisions. Adjei emphasized that involving creatives from the start would enable their unique perspectives to inform the design and delivery of climate interventions.
The panel discussion, moderated by Derick Ashilevi, featured Dr Enoch Bessah from the DIPPER Lab at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Valerie Kplorm Nutakor from the Climate and Development Knowledge Network, and musician and climate activist Okyeame Kwame.
Written by urgent.news from MyJoyOnline Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
