During the fellowship, I led the Arab Group in the COP simulation, coordinating positions and supporting consensus-building, an experience that sharpened both my strategic thinking and confidence. That growth became clear at UNEA-7, where I was able to follow discussions, understand positions, and engage meaningfully without feeling overwhelmed by the complexity of the process.

Before AYNF, I was leading climate initiatives in Northern Ghana, but my understanding of formal climate governance and decision-making processes was limited. AYNF was a major turning point. It helped me understand how global climate decisions are shaped and how they affect national and community-level action.

A major milestone after AYNF was serving as Ghana’s youngest negotiator at COP29. I also took on leadership roles within YOUNGO, led a major youth capacity-building session across regions, and supported the development of policy language for the Global Youth Statement ahead of SB62. AYNF sharpened my clarity, precision, and policy-relevant communication skills, which I now use to turn youth engagement into influence.

Through the Fellowship, I contributed to the Global Youth Statement 2025 and supported youth inputs into NDC 3.0, including helping translate youth demands into negotiation-aligned language. For me, AYNF has been an enabling environment that equips young people to move from the corridors of power into meaningful policy influence.