For six decades the Atlantic Council has convened world leaders to address the most pressing challenges facing our plant. In 2015, the Millennium Leadership Program (MLP) was launched as a central pillar of this enduring legacy. Its mission is to connect and empower the next generation of changemakers who will shape the twenty-first century.
It has been our pleasure at the Ghana Climate Innovation Centre to partner with The Atlantic Council for the inaugural Climate Leadership Program, and to welcome the inaugural team of global climate leaders to Accra from 10th to 13th July 2023. The talented cohort of climate-focused venture capital fund managers from the US, EU, Africa and China gathered in Accra for intensive networking, strategy building, and action planning meetings; and brought diverse perspectives and global experiences to foster collaboration, learning, and practical commitments in climate finance.
The program commenced with a welcome address from Professor George Gyan-Baffour, the Chairman of the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) and a representative of the Minister of Finance. Professor Gyan-Baffour emphasized the significance of private investments in overcoming debt constraints and promoting sustainable growth, highlighting the importance of capacity building for local businesses and entrepreneurs in the low-carbon economy. A question-and-answer session, moderated by Ruka Sanusi, Executive Director of the Ghana Climate Innovation Centre, followed the address.
The first day continued with facilitated table discussions led by Jonah Fisher, Senior Director of the Millennium Leadership Program (MLP) at the Atlantic Council, and Natalia Etten, Deputy Director of MLP. These discussions focused on connecting the cohort members and exploring their businesses and journeys in the climate sector. Key issues discussed included the specific needs of the African continent, addressing basic concerns before prioritizing climate change, the high capital costs in developing countries, accessing various forms of commercial capital and grants (particularly innovation grants for the African continent), and the role of venture philanthropy in designing financial mechanisms for innovation.
The day concluded at Impact Hub Accra, where the visiting fellows engaged in asset mapping, sharing their skills, resources, and contacts while identifying areas where they needed assistance and offering support to fellow participants. The event featured a networking session and dinner with Ghanaian climate entrepreneurs, climate finance and venture capital firms, private and public sector institutions such as such as Injaro Investment Advisors, Third Way Capital, Solar Taxi, Farmerline, True Moringa, Wawu, Sustainable Energy for All, Pure and Just Food, ShaQ Express, and Kaeme Body Care Limited.
On the second and final day of the Program, the cohort actively engaged in dynamic brainstorming sessions, exemplifying their dedication to discovering innovative solutions. The central question that drove their discussions was how this group of climate investors could practically address the lack of inclusivity within the Climate Finance Ecosystem over the next six months.
The day concluded with an art exhibition featuring Ghanaian artist Dela Anyah at the James Town Café in Accra. Dela Anyah was specifically selected to spend the evening with the fellows due to his remarkable ability to express art through upcycling and transforming waste into valuable creations. His sculptures and installations incorporate discarded objects such as butyl inner tubes, polypropylene sacks, license plates, and rubber tires, employing garment-making techniques such as weaving and patchwork.
