Nana Akua Dokyiwaa Karikari, a young member of the Planeteer Alliance, has called on young people to take an active role in protecting the environment as she hosted Ghana’s maiden EARTH Summit in Accra.
The Summit, organised by the Planeteer Alliance, the youth arm of the Captain Planet Foundation, in partnership with YFM Ghana, was held on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at Mensah Sarbah Hall, University of Ghana.
The event brought together young people and members of the community for a day of environmental education, practical activities and interactive sessions aimed at encouraging greater participation in environmental protection.
Welcoming participants and guests, Nana Akua spoke about the importance of protecting the Earth and encouraged participants to recognise that environmental action can begin with simple steps taken in their everyday lives.
She also expressed appreciation to the guests and participants who honoured the invitation and encouraged them to actively engage with the activities throughout the Summit. Nana Akua’s role as host builds on her involvement in environmental advocacy activities.
In 2025, she hosted Ghana’s maiden Wind Summit, where young participants were introduced to issues including plastic waste management, source separation, recycling, upcycling and environmental leadership.
At this year’s EARTH Summit, the focus was broadened to include tree growing, waste management and opportunities for young people to become more actively involved in environmental initiatives.
The programme featured a session by Toluwalase Abiona, West African Regional Coordinator of the Planeteer Alliance, who introduced participants to the Alliance and explained how they could become Planeteers.
She also outlined the work of the Alliance and the opportunities and benefits available to young people who join the network.
Participants subsequently took part in a session on growing trees led by Mr. Asare Kuffour, Head of Science at Mary Mother of Good Counsel School. The session was followed by a practical tree-planting exercise, giving participants the opportunity to apply what they had learnt.
Each participant was also presented with a Veitchia palm seedling to take home and plant, providing a practical way for the environmental lessons from the Summit to continue beyond the event.
The programme later turned its attention to waste management, with Heneba Kwadwo Safo, leader of the BuzStopBoys, leading a hands-on session on source separation.
Participants learnt how to separate waste appropriately and took part in games designed to make the concept easier to understand and apply.
For Nana Akua, the opportunity to host the Summit was another platform to engage young people on environmental responsibility and demonstrate that they can contribute to protecting the planet regardless of their age.
