Country: Ghana
Big Bet: Support a cleaner Accra by helping the city turn organic waste into useful products while creating fair, green jobs for local communities and informing policy reform.
Project: Zero Waste for a Sustainable Cityscape in Accra is building a city-wide system to turn organic waste into useful products instead of sending it to landfills. Working across seven municipalities and three major markets, the project collects food waste and processes it using black soldier fly technology, which converts organic scraps into animal feed and other valuable materials. The initiative also trains waste workers and supports local businesses so they can participate in new green enterprises and earn more stable incomes. By working with local leaders to strengthen policies and scale these practices, the project is helping Accra reduce waste, create jobs, and build a more circular economy.
Richard Matey is advancing climate justice and resilience across Africa as Executive Director of the Green Africa Youth Organization (GAYO). He leads initiatives that empower young people to drive climate action through renewable energy, clean cookstove adoption, biomass technology, and green entrepreneurship. Richard cultivates partnerships that bridge grassroots innovation with policy advocacy and youth participation in global climate processes. Previously, he coordinated the Youth Climate Council Ghana, expanding it to nine countries and engaging over 4,000 youth. He has also launched initiatives, including the African Youth Negotiators Fellowship, that strengthen climate literacy, youth advocacy, and negotiation capacity to help young Africans drive climate policy into action.