Not waiting for change

Hey,

Welcome to Green Jobs Rising!

Some of Africa’s most powerful climate solutions are not coming from large institutions. They’re being built by young people working close to the problem.

Mathias Charles Yabe is one of them.

In Ghana’s agricultural communities, where farmers often lose a significant share of their harvest before it ever reaches the market, Mathias saw both a challenge and an opportunity.

Instead of accepting post-harvest loss as inevitable, he began rethinking how food systems could work better for farmers, for communities, and for the climate.

That thinking led to AkoFresh. A transformative idea.

This is a solar-powered cold storage that helps farmers preserve what they grow. By extending the shelf life of perishable produce from a few days to several weeks, the solution gives farmers more control over when they sell, how much they earn, and how much food goes to waste.

Beyond storage, it stabilises incomes, reduces pressure to sell at unfair prices, and builds resilience in the face of climate uncertainty. 

It also shows that clean energy can power practical, everyday solutions in rural economies.

Mathias has not limited his work to agriculture.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, when education systems struggled to adapt, he turned his attention to inclusion, developing a virtual learning platform designed for hearing-impaired students. 

At a time when many were left behind, this ensured that hundreds of learners could continue their education.

Through his leadership with the Hult Prize in Ghana and his involvement in global initiatives on green jobs and sustainable development, he is actively creating pathways for other young people to step into innovation and impact.

His work sits at the intersection of climate action, food systems, and opportunity.

These are areas that will define Africa’s future.

And in that future, young leaders are not waiting for change.

They are building it.

Be sure to connect with Charles on LinkedIn.