A new climate education and leadership initiative aimed at empowering Africans with the knowledge and practical skills needed to address climate change is set to commence, with applications currently open for its first intake.
The ReMI Climate Academy, established through a partnership between Rescue Mission International and the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration, seeks to nurture a new generation of climate leaders, policymakers, professionals and advocates capable of driving solutions to environmental challenges across the continent.
Speaking ahead of the programme’s launch, Ibrahim Tuzee Abdul-Raheem, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Rescue Mission International, said the academy was created to bridge a significant gap in climate education by providing training specifically tailored to Africa’s realities and environmental needs.
According to him, although Africa is among the regions most affected by climate change, there are limited climate education opportunities designed to address the continent’s unique circumstances.
Participants who successfully complete the programme will receive a jointly certified qualification from ReMI and GIMPA, with GIMPA providing academic accreditation for the courses.
Organisers explained that the curriculum will cover key areas such as climate science, climate policy, climate law, green finance, innovation and ethics. The programme is designed to focus on practical leadership development and real-world application rather than purely theoretical learning.
To cater to different professional backgrounds and experience levels, the academy will offer three distinct learning pathways: Executive, Professional and Fellowship tracks. In addition, shorter one-month courses will be available for individuals seeking specialised training.
Classes will primarily be conducted on weekends at GIMPA’s campus in Accra. However, organisers revealed that an online learning platform is being developed to make the programme accessible to participants across Ghana, other African countries and the African diaspora.
The academy is open to a broad range of applicants, including professionals, government officials, policymakers, civil society representatives, community leaders, climate advocates and students interested in pursuing careers in climate-related fields.
The initiative comes at a time when Ghana continues to face increasing climate-related challenges such as flooding, coastal erosion, irregular rainfall patterns and threats to food security, agriculture and water resources.
Despite the growing urgency of these issues, organisers noted that access to structured and locally relevant climate education has remained limited, making the academy a timely intervention.
They expressed confidence that the inaugural cohort will serve as the foundation for a premier African platform dedicated to climate leadership development, capacity building and sustainable environmental action.
Applications for the first intake are currently being accepted, with additional information on admission schedules and the upcoming virtual learning option expected to be released in the near future.
Source: myjoyonline.com
