Celebrities rally for climate action at AFRIWOCC concert

A star-studded gathering of Ghanaian celebrities came together with Second Lady Mrs. Samira Bawumia at the Africa Women and Children Conference (AFRIWOCC) Concert, pledging their support for Climate Action.

The concert, which was the highlight of the inaugural AFRIWOCC held at the Kempinski Hotel in Accra, saw hundreds of Ghanaians dancing to the tunes of award-winning artists like Okyeame Quame, Kwame Eugene, Adina, and the Play Boy Band.

Celebrities from the movie and music industries, including veteran actors David Dontoh, Fred Amugi, Adjetey Anang, and the ever-young Akorfa Edjeani Aseidu, threw their weight behind the Second Lady's cause to address the negative impact of climate change on women and children in Africa.

In solidarity, renowned radio personality Lexis Bill and musician Kidi expressed their support for the event's mission to protect women and children who bear the brunt of climate change.

Counsellor and relationship expert, Cyril George Carstensen Lutterodt, emphasized the urgency of supporting Climate Action, as it is the key to restoring the environment to its intended state, emphasizing that the negative impact of climate change had led to natural disasters in the country.

Prominent gospel musicians Cece Twum and Ohemaa Mercy, actors Prince David Osei, Kobby Rana, and James Gardiner, actress Gloria Sarfo, and comedian Kalybos were among the notable celebrities who also graced the event. The concert was also attended by the United Nations Resident Coordinator, Charles Abani, and celebrated playwright, Latif Abubakar.

AFRIWOCC, an initiative by the Samira Empowerment and Humanitarian Projects (SEHP) under the auspices of the office of the President, was launched to highlight the voices of women and children in climate action. It aimed to bring together high-level government officials, policymakers, experts, representatives from international organizations, civil society, and grassroots community leaders to discuss and collaborate on climate change issues affecting women and children across Africa and beyond.

Themed "Amplifying the Voices of Women and Children in Climate Action," the two-day conference championed by the Second Lady aimed to assess the impact of the climate crisis on women and children, advocate for policies supporting their interests in climate change regulations and development, and establish a network of organizations focused on women and children in the climate change economy.

The conference culminated with the signing of a communique, signifying a collective commitment to action. It will guide governments, civil society, and the private sector in prioritizing the rights and well-being of women and children in climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies.

The outcomes of AFRIWOCC will be instrumental in discussions at the Africa Climate Week and Africa Climate Summit, taking place in September 2023 in Nairobi, Kenya. Moreover, they are expected to shape Africa's position at the upcoming United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of Parties' twenty-eighth session (COP 28) in November 2023, held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).