The La Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Accra buzzed with celebration on October 30, 2025, as Green for Change Ghana (GCG) received the National Award for E
The La Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Accra buzzed with celebration on October 30, 2025, as Green for Change Ghana (GCG) received the National Award for Excellence in Driving Climate Resilience and Conservation through Inclusive Sustainable Community Initiatives at the 4th Ghana Philanthropy Awards, organized by The Business Executive.
The event recognized organizations and individuals making significant contributions to Ghana’s development through philanthropy, innovation, and social impact.
For Green for Change Ghana, the award was more than national recognition—it was a validation of over a decade of commitment to climate resilience and community-led environmental conservation.
Receiving the award on behalf of the organization, Executive Director John Balankoo Sumbo and Board Chairman Dr. Aaron Akon-Yamga expressed deep gratitude to the organizers and partners, pledging to continue championing inclusive environmental action.
“This award is both humbling and inspiring,” said Mr. Sumbo. “It reminds us that our work isn’t just about planting trees or conserving natural resources; it’s about restoring hope, reclaiming degraded lands, and securing livelihoods for future generations. Every tree we plant and every farmer we empower is a step toward a greener, more resilient Ghana.”
He highlighted Ghana’s pressing environmental challenges—illegal mining,Dr, Aaron Akon-Yamga deforestation, and land degradation—and called for renewed efforts to reclaim and restore affected landscapes.
“True climate resilience means helping communities heal the land while improving their livelihoods,” he added.
Green for Change Ghana’s work spans landscape restoration, conservation agriculture, renewable energy promotion, environmental education, advocacy, and research. The organization also integrates behavioral change approaches to nurture long-term environmental stewardship among local communities.
Through these interventions, GCG has become a driving force in climate action across the five northern regions and parts of southern Ghana, helping vulnerable households adopt sustainable practices and regenerate degraded ecosystems.
“Our programmes focus on sustainable agroecology, agroforestry, improved cookstoves, and green livelihoods,” Mr. Sumbo explained. “By doing so, we’re reducing poverty and helping communities adapt to climate change.”
He also extended an invitation to development partners, donors, and private sector stakeholders to collaborate with GCG in scaling its impact.
“Our doors are open for partnerships,” he said. “Together, we can build a greener and more resilient Ghana.”
Dr. Akon-Yamga, for his part, described the honor as a celebration of teamwork, perseverance, and shared vision.
“This recognition reflects our team’s dedication, our partners’ trust, and the resilience of the communities we serve,” he noted. “What began as a small initiative has grown into a movement of hope and impact.”
GCG’s vision—to create a world where communities thrive in harmony with nature—continues to guide its work, underpinned by its mission to tackle climate change, protect natural resources, and promote sustainable ecosystems through community action.
As the night’s celebration came to a close, Mr. Sumbo reaffirmed that the award marked a new beginning, not an end.
“This recognition renews our resolve,” he said. “We remain steadfast in our mission to build resilience, protect nature, and secure livelihoods. Together with our partners, we will continue to make our planet greener, fairer, and more sustainable for all.”
From its roots in local community engagement to its growing national footprint, Green for Change Ghana stands as a model of how grassroots action can drive global environmental progress—proving that when communities lead, the land heals, and hope flourishes.