Our mission
To strengthen the climate resilience of African communities by advancing climate literacy, empowering young leaders and supporting locally led adaptation.
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People-powered climate action, rooted in Ghana.
ACAI exists so that the communities least responsible for climate change are no longer the least prepared for it. We work alongside schools, young people, farmers and local leaders to turn climate knowledge into action.
Our story
Started by Ghanaians, for the communities on climate change's front line.
The Africa Climate Action Initiative (ACAI) began as a group of young professionals, teachers and community volunteers who kept asking the same question: why do the people most affected by climate change have the least access to information and support about it?
Across Ghana we saw farming families struggling with unpredictable seasons, schools without basic learning resources, and young people eager to act but unsure where to start. Climate change was discussed at international conferences, yet rarely in the places where its impacts were felt most.
ACAI was formally registered with Ghana's Registrar General's Department (No. CG044450523) to close that gap. Today we run climate education in schools, train youth climate ambassadors, support communities to prepare for climate shocks, and work with public institutions to make local priorities count in climate planning.
We are deliberately grassroots. Our facilitators live in the regions they serve, our programmes are designed in partnership with communities, and we measure success by what people can do differently after we leave.
Our vision
An Africa where every community understands its climate risks, has the tools to adapt, and has a confident voice in the decisions that shape its future.
Our values
The principles behind every programme
Community ownership
Communities define the problem and lead the solution. We facilitate, listen and support — we do not impose.
Climate justice
Those who contributed least to the climate crisis deserve the most support to adapt and the loudest voice in decisions.
Evidence & learning
We combine climate science with local and indigenous knowledge, and we learn openly from what does not work.
Youth at the centre
Africa is the world's youngest continent. Young people are not only tomorrow's leaders — they are leading today.
Inclusion
Women, girls, persons with disabilities and rural communities are included by design, not as an afterthought.
Integrity
We are honest about our results, careful with resources and accountable to the communities we serve.
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Team voices
Programmes & Outreach
Our people
A small team with deep community roots.
“When a girl in a rural school learns why the rains are changing — and what her community can do about it — she becomes a climate leader. That is the change we work for every day.”
Programmes & Outreach
Designs and delivers school and community activities.
Education & Learning
Develops lesson plans, learning kits and teacher guides.
Research & Policy
Tracks climate data and supports advocacy with institutions.
Volunteer Network
Students and professionals who power our field work.
Our journey
Milestones along the way
Every milestone reflects the trust of the schools, young people and institutions who work with us.
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The beginning
A volunteer movement takes shape
Teachers, students and young professionals begin running informal climate conversations in schools and community centres.
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2024
Formal registration in Ghana
ACAI is registered with the Registrar General's Department as a non-profit organisation, with a governing board and clear operating policies.
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Early 2025
Institutional partnerships and first youth dialogue
Stakeholder engagement with public institutions in the Ashanti Region, followed by a youth climate dialogue that gathers more than 40 participants.
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Mid 2025
Green Schools reading corners
Locally built reading corners open in partner schools, stocked with storybooks, reference books and climate learning materials.
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May 2026
On the continental stage in Brazzaville
An ACAI delegation joins Global South partners of the Interregional Pact for Sovereignty through Solutions at the African Development Bank Group Annual Meetings in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo. Read the story
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Looking ahead
Scaling locally led adaptation
Expanding the Youth Climate Ambassadors network and community preparedness planning to more districts across Ghana and West Africa.
Governance & accountability
Trusted to do the right thing, the right way.
Legal registration
Registered non-profit in Ghana, Registrar General's Department (RGD) No. CG044450523.
Independent board
A volunteer board provides oversight of strategy, finances and risk, and meets quarterly.
Safeguarding policy
All staff and volunteers working with children receive safeguarding orientation and sign our code of conduct.
Open reporting
We share programme results and lessons learned on our Impact page.