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Bismark, the Climate Hero Reaping the Benefits of Migration
Taking concrete climate action is essential to ensure that migration remains a matter of choice, not necessity. At the International Organization for Migration (IOM), we know that migrants are part of the solution to drive concrete climate action. One young Ghanaian migrant is doing just that!
“In 2017, after my university studies, I got a chance to travel to Germany through the Bundesfreiwilligendienst Program. It was during this time that I gained more insights into how one can live a sustainable life. When I went shopping, I didn’t see people with plastic bags; one even had to pay for a plastic shopping bag! It opened up my perspective, and I already was having a lot of wild dreams of what I can do when I come back to Ghana.”
Despite having a great time in Germany, Bismark recollects that he knew:
“I saw a lot of things that will not work for me in Germany until I’m back home in Ghana. Back in Ghana, people told me, ah, why do you want to come back? Stay in Europe! If I were you, I'd never come back. And I will always tell them one thing: ‘You have no idea’!”
Bismark returned to Ghana in 2018. Ambitious to make a contribution to tackling Ghana’s waste challenge, he got to work right away. He reflects:
“As a returnee, coming back with just an idea, I met with colleagues from IOM and GIZ, and received some support with setting up my business. I started with Reusable Bags GH in 2019 as a social enterprise. We are interested in finding sustainable alternatives to single use plastics. We do this through education and through advocacy. The main aspect is making these alternatives available through production. We are using fabric or textile waste to address the issue of plastic waste.”
Bismark developed a comprehensive business model that spans from training to production. He explains:
“It's a full operation. Our workers go through education and training. After the training, we recruit some of them, and others receive sewing machines, and we outsource some of our production to them.”
Bismark understands the benefits of migration and actively promotes them to other young Ghanaians. It was that experience of living abroad that led Bismark to where he is today. And he has opened many doors for himself since then. In November 2023, he attended COP28 as one of the three laureates from across the globe who received IOM’s Migrants4Climate Award. Thanks to this Award, Bismark was also able to expand his business.
Bismark is ambitious to continue his path and make his dream a reality:
“My vision is that by 2030, sustainable alternatives to single use plastic should be readily available for people to use; be it shopping bags, baskets for shopping, or other.”
Young migrants like Bismark are key agents of change in climate action and can have a significant role in the just transition. Their innovative ideas and diverse perspectives contribute to building a sustainable economy that is fair and inclusive for all.
