The Northern Regional Minster Ali Adolf John, has called for action towards ensuring access to clean, safe and sustainable cooking solutions for all Ghanaians.
Speaking at a stakeholder consultative workshop on the National Clean Cooking Policy and Strategy for Ghana held in Tamale on Monday, he underscored the importance of the initiative, noting that clean cooking transcends energy policy and touches on critical issues such as public health, environmental sustainability, gender equality and economic development.
“This workshop represents a crucial milestone in addressing the challenges associated with cooking in Ghana. Traditional biomas fuels such as charcoal and firewood continue to pose significant health risks, degrade the environment and threaten our nation’s energy future. We must take decisive steps to transition to cleaner and more efficient cooking technologies,” the minister said in statement read by Damma Mumuni, a Deputy Director of Administration at the Northern Regional Coordinating Council.
The workshop brought together key stakeholders from government, the private sector, civil society and development partners to deliberate on strategies for advancing Ghana’s cooking agenda.
Adolf acknowledged the government’s commitment to implementing the National Clean Cooking Policy and Strategy, and urged stakeholders to actively engage in discussions, share their insights and propose actionable solutions.
“The objective is to develop a policy that is not only visionary but also actionable, one that will leave a lasting impact on our communities and future generations,” he added.
The Ghana Alliance for Clean Cookstoves (GHACCO) provided an in-depth overview of Ghana’s clean cooking sector, highlighting the different fuels and technologies in use. GHACCO emphasized that firewood remains a primary cooking fuel, particularly in rural areas, while urban households often rely on charcoal, despite its environmental and health concerns. Gas and electric cookers provide cleaner alternatives, though accessibility and affordability remain barriers.
“The transition to clean cooking solutions is necessary to mitigate environmental degradation, improve public health and enhance economic opportunities, particularly for women who bear the burden of traditional cooking practices,” a GHACCO representative stated.
Ali Adolf expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Energy, the Energy Commission, development partners and international collaborators for their role in supporting Ghana’s energy transition agenda.
Source: www.kumasimail.com/Joseph Ziem
