Ghana Begins Consultative Process To Develop National Clean Cooking Policy

Ghana’s Ministry of Energy and Green Transition has initiated a consultative process to formulate a National Clean Cooking policy framework.

This comprehensive framework will guide the promotion and implementation of clean cooking across Ghana, ensuring a more effective and structured approach to clean cooking adoption.

The NCCP will focus on promoting a diversified clean cooking energy mix, which includes Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), electric, biogas, and improved biomass cookstoves.

The NCCP will offer regulatory and fiscal incentives to boost investments in the clean cooking sector and will support local industry development, ensuring the availability and affordability of clean cooking technologies.

The policy will also ensure public awareness campaigns to foster behavioral change toward cleaner cooking solutions.

Delivering a keynote address at the opening of a two-day National Clean Cooking Policy and Strategy Workshop in Accra, Minister for Energy and Green Transition John Abdulai Jinapor emphasized that Ghana’s household cooking challenges are substantial.

Nearly 60% of the population relies on traditional solid fuels like charcoal and firewood, despite the significant health and environmental risks associated with these methods.

He pointed out that this reliance has dire consequences, contributing to approximately 6,500 deaths annually due to household air pollution, with children under five being disproportionately affected across Africa.

The Hon. Minister acknowledged the immense socio-economic toll of inefficient cooking methods, particularly on women and children, who bear the brunt of fuel collection and health risks.

He emphasized the urgent need for a coherent strategy to tackle these issues more effectively.

He urged participants of the workshop to engage in constructive discussions and propose innovative solutions that shift Ghana from policy formulation to actionable results.

“Achieving universal access to clean cooking is not the sole responsibility of the government; it demands a collaborative multi-stakeholder approach,” the Minister said.

He underscored the government’s commitment to leading and supporting this agenda.

“The success of our clean cooking initiative hinges on collective efforts toward a healthier, cleaner, and more sustainable future for all Ghanaians,” Minister Jinapor said.

The workshop serves as a critical platform for galvanizing support and commitment to the clean cooking agenda, promising a transformative legacy for generations to come.

The Chief Director of the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition, Wilhelmina Asamoah (Mrs.), in welcoming participants said the initiative is designed to ensure inclusiveness and address the local realities faced in the path toward clean cooking adoption. “This workshop provides a platform for open dialogue, knowledge sharing, and strategic collaboration over the next two days”, she said.

According to Mrs. Asamoah, the workshop, which is the first of three planned regional engagements, aims to gather insights from representatives across Ghana’s southern, middle, and northern regions.

She urged participants to seize the opportunity to engage in constructive discussions and innovative brainstorming towards a cleaner cooking future.

She expressed gratitude to the World Bank for its unwavering support of Ghana’s clean cooking agenda, acknowledging its critical role in advancing essential policy initiatives.

Source: https://energynewsafrica.com