MINISTRY OF ENERGY AND GREEN TRANSITION HOLDS NATIONAL CLEAN COOKING POLICY STAKEHOLDERS ENGAGEMENT TO TACKLE HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES

Ministry of Energy and Green Transition Holds National Clean Cooking Policy Stakeholders Engagement to Tackle Health and Environmental Challenges

Thursday 20th March 2025, Accra – In a move to address public health concerns and environmental degradation, the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition commenced a two-day National Clean Cooking Policy and Strategy Workshop bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders, including policy experts, industry leaders, and development partners, representing a significant milestone in Ghana's pursuit of clean cooking solutions.

Delivering the keynote address, the Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Hon. John Abdulai Jinapor stated that the challenges facing household cooking in Ghana are substantial, with nearly 60% of the population relying on traditional solid fuels like charcoal and firewood. 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 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. To this end, the Ministry of Energy & Green Transition unveiled the proposed National Clean Cooking Policy (NCCP), designed to outline a structured framework for clean cooking adoption across the nation. 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 Minister elaborated. He also highlighted the importance of public awareness campaigns to foster behavioral change toward cleaner cooking solutions.

Hon. John Jinapor further announced that the revision of the National Clean Cooking Strategy (NCCS) and accompanying Investment Prospectus (IP) will provide a detailed implementation roadmap that identifies stakeholder roles and responsibilities while outlining necessary financial resources for scaling adoption.

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."

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.