Climate change is no longer a future threat for sub-Saharan Africa, it is an active disruptor of food production. Farmers across the continent face more frequent droughts, volatile shifts in rainfall patterns, and rising temperatures that heavily strain local food systems. Ironically, while smallholder farmers produce over 90% of the continent’s food, they remain among its poorest citizens.

Few weeks ago in Accra, Ghana, a new wave of impact-driven startups gathered for the residency week of the Climate and Food Security Accelerator, run by global social impact incubator Halcyon.

The Ghana Innovation Journal sat down with Mercy Erhiawarien, Senior Manager of International Programs at Halcyon, to discuss how the accelerator is equipping founders to break the cycle of lack, the flaws of chasing “unicorns” in Africa, and why local capital must step up to fund climate adaptation.

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