Director Operations and Programs @Green Africa Youth Organization
Founder @B.Inspired Africa | Circular Economy @G100 Country Chair
International Speaker | Storyteller
If there’s one name that embodies the fusion of climate action, youth empowerment, and transformative storytelling in Africa, it’s Betty Osei Bonsu. From her humble start as a young changemaker eager to contribute to climate solutions, Betty has emerged as a powerhouse of sustainability leadership, community engagement, and visionary strategy across the continent. Years before taking the reins as Director of Programs and Operations at the Green Africa Youth Organization (GAYO), Betty planted the seeds of her impact story as a Programs Support Assistant. With a heart full of purpose and a passion for environmental justice, she jumped into the trenches—coordinating activities, engaging with communities, and soaking up every lesson about the true nature of grassroots impact. Each small step laid the foundation for what would become a revolutionary career. Her first major breakthrough came as Project Coordinator, where Betty led Ghana’s first-ever Zero Waste Strategy, transforming not just how waste was managed, but how communities, policymakers, and waste workers saw their roles in climate action. Partnering with the La Dade Kotopon Municipal Assembly, she steered bold, people-centered solutions into action, demonstrating that when policy meets purpose, true change is inevitable. Her journey soon crossed borders—Betty was appointed Country Manager of GAYO Uganda, where she deepened her commitment to frontline climate justice. There, she mobilized youth through the GAYO Eco Club Initiative, championed informal waste pickers, and scaled zero-waste solutions across Kampala. Under her leadership, waste became opportunity, communities became ecosystems of innovation, and young people found their voice in climate advocacy. But Betty’s story doesn’t stop at the grassroots. Determined to back her experience with deeper expertise, she pursued a Master’s degree in Environmental Risk and Human Security from the prestigious United Nations University (UNU). As part of her studies, she worked with the UNFCCC Adaptation Division, tackling knowledge gaps in vulnerable regions under the Nairobi Work Programme. She also contributed to inclusive climate governance with ICLEI’s Justice and Equity Team, developing equitable urban strategies for a resilient future.
Armed with both field experience and academic firepower, Betty stepped confidently into her current role at GAYO as Director of Programs and Operations. She now oversees GAYO’s initiatives across multiple countries, ensuring their programs drive real impact—whether it’s biodiversity conservation, circular economy systems, or climate justice advocacy. Her mission? To expand green jobs, amplify youth voices in policy-making, and reimagine what sustainability can look like across Africa.
But there’s another powerful thread that runs through Betty’s work—storytelling. As the founder and host of “B. Inspired with Stories from Africa” (B.ISA), she has created a platform that does more than just share success—it celebrates indigenous knowledge, untold solutions, and inspiring journeys from across the continent. Through her YouTube show and storytelling community, Betty is reshaping the African narrative—giving voice to stories that spark change, challenge norms, and ignite hope.
Beyond the screen, she’s also a global speaker and thought leader, with engagements spanning The New York Times, UN-Habitat, UNDP, Bloomberg, Global Landscapes Forum, EcologiQ Australia, and C40 Cities, among others. But for Betty, the real magic isn’t in the spotlight—it’s in the field, where stories are born, policies are tested, and communities rise.
Betty also serves as the Country Chair for Circular Economy at G100: Mission Million, where she’s helping bridge gender equity with regenerative economic models, driving women-led innovation in circular practices. Over the past 7 years, Betty has led sustainable community projects worth over 7 figures in USD, won numerous grants, and co-authored policy documents for municipalities, placing her among the continent’s most influential climate advocates.
From project coordination to policy advocacy, from community storytelling to international platforms, Betty Osei Bonsu is a woman on a mission—to build a greener, fairer, more inspired Africa. And as she often says, “Youth are not the leaders of tomorrow—they are the leaders of today.”
