The Ministry of Energy and Green Transition has inaugurated a two-day National Clean Cooking Policy and Strategy Workshop, setting the stage for Ghana to address critical public health concerns and mitigate environmental degradation caused by traditional cooking methods.
The forum brought together a dynamic mix of stakeholders, including policy experts, industry leaders, academia, and development partners, in a collective effort to chart a sustainable path for clean cooking solutions in Ghana.
Delivering the keynote address, the Minister for Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, painted a stark picture of the challenges posed by household cooking in Ghana. He revealed that nearly 60% of the population depends on traditional solid fuels like charcoal and firewood, a practice that contributes to approximately 6,500 deaths annually due to household air pollution. Alarmingly, children under the age of five are disproportionately affected by the harmful effects of smoke inhalation.
The Minister emphasized the socio-economic and health burdens of inefficient cooking methods, which primarily fall on women and children. “The time spent collecting firewood could be redirected to productive activities, while the health risks associated with traditional cooking methods are preventable if we act decisively,” he stated.
A Comprehensive Framework for Clean Cooking Solutions
In response to these challenges, the Ministry unveiled the proposed National Clean Cooking Policy (NCCP), a groundbreaking initiative aimed at transforming Ghana’s cooking energy landscape. The policy seeks to introduce a structured framework for the adoption of diverse clean cooking energy solutions, including Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), electric stoves, biogas, and improved biomass cookstoves.
According to Mr. Jinapor, the NCCP will prioritize regulatory and fiscal incentives to stimulate investment in the sector. It will also support local industry development to ensure the availability and affordability of clean cooking technologies for all Ghanaians.
Public awareness campaigns will play a central role in driving behavioral change, encouraging households to transition to cleaner and safer cooking alternatives. “Achieving universal access to clean cooking is not solely the responsibility of the government; it requires a collaborative, multi-stakeholder approach,” the Minister stressed.
Strategic Roadmap for Implementation
As part of the workshop, the Ministry also announced the revision of the National Clean Cooking Strategy (NCCS) and its accompanying Investment Prospectus (IP). These documents will serve as a roadmap, detailing stakeholder roles, responsibilities, and the financial resources needed to scale up the adoption of clean cooking solutions nationwide.
The Minister called on participants to engage in meaningful discussions and present innovative solutions that would translate policy intentions into tangible action.
Inclusivity and Regional Engagement
Wilhelmina Asamoah, Chief Director of the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition, welcomed participants and highlighted the workshop’s focus on inclusivity. “This workshop provides a platform for open dialogue, knowledge sharing, and strategic collaboration. It is the first of three regional workshops designed to gather insights from Ghana’s southern, middle, and northern regions,” she said.
She commended the World Bank for its steadfast support of Ghana’s clean cooking agenda, recognizing its critical role in advancing key policy initiatives.
A Call to Action
Participants were urged to contribute actively to discussions and foster partnerships that would accelerate Ghana’s transition to clean cooking solutions. The workshop concluded with a renewed commitment to a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable future for all Ghanaians.
This initiative represents a pivotal step in Ghana’s green transition journey, underscoring the importance of collaboration, innovation, and community engagement in achieving universal access to clean cooking by 2030.
Story by: Mercy Addai Turkson #ahotoronline.com
