Bismark, the Climate Hero Reaping the Benefits of Migration

“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 must even pay for a plastic shopping bag! It opened 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:

“I saw many things in Germany that don't work for me. When I returned home, people in Ghana asked me, 'Why did you come back? Stay in Europe! If I were you, I'd never return.' My response was always the same: 'You have no idea!”

Bismark returned to Ghana in 2018. Ambitious to contribute 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, where I received some support with setting up my business. I started with Reusable Bags 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.

“Today, I continue to volunteer for the same program that gave me the opportunity to travel to Germany. I mentor young people and inform them about the opportunities they can explore. I tell them, it's a one in ten chance that you'll make it big if you go abroad. The unconventional means you're considering to reach an unknown destination is very risky and unlikely to solve your problems."

He is challenging the youth to ask themselves:

“What do you have? Can you sell something? If yes, can you sell it here? If no, can you be here and sell it elsewhere? If you think it's school you want to go to, possibly abroad, go have that experience, and then decide for yourself if you want to live there.”

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. Most recently, in January 2024, Bismark received the Migrants4Climate Award – as one of three winners from across the globe.

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 would be readily available for people to use; be it shopping bags, baskets for shopping, or other.”