Second Lady of Ghana, Hajia Samira Bawumia has revealed plans by Government to promote the adoption of LPG by 50% as the primary cooking fuel by 2030.
She further added that "Ghana has adopted the ISO standard for clean cookstoves and clean cooking solutions. There have been
efforts to set a minimum standard, develop labels, and upgrade testing centres all in an effort to ensure world-class market development of clean cooking solutions."
According to her, there is a growing need for political will in the adoption of strategies and policies aimed at promoting the use of clean cooking methods in Ghana to ensure protection against health risks particularly fo women and children in Ghana.
She, therefore, called for "an Integration of clean cooking into government programs and policies and encourage the use of sustainable clean cooking solutions. A concerted political will is essential to ensure the progress of the clean cooking sector. High-level political will and action is a must."
She indicated that about 18,000 Ghanaians have died as a result of the harmful effects of unsafe methods of cooking and the use of unclean cooking fuels and these continue to pose threats to the health of women hence the need for urgent steps to address the situation.
She also called for a focus on affordability, innovation and adaptability of clean cooking solutions in discussions on access in order to ensure sustainable development.
She, therefore, argued that "Reducing prices via low-cost design, local production, or assembly (where feasible), and innovative distribution and financing
models can lower upfront stove costs and significantly extend access to clean cooking solutions."
CEO of Clean Cooking Alliance Dymphna van der Lans also stated that "there is more recognition and integration of clean cooking in national climate and energy plans."
She noted that Nearly 70 countries have included clean cooking as part of their Nationally Determined Contributions to the Paris Climate Agreement.
On the issue of access, She said: "There are many ways and many approaches to address the issue of access and we need to embrace all of them – moving away from this sense of scarcity, of unhelpful competition, of one solution fixing it all, to one of appreciating other partners’ ability to contribute to this urgent challenge."
Clean Cooking Forum 2022 was hosted by the Clean Cooking Alliance (CCA) and the Government of Ghana. With more than 600 attendees from over 50 countries, the Forum is the world’s largest convening of investors, executives, government officials, academics, and advocates working to accelerate access to clean cooking.
The Forum also featured a musical performance from two-time Grammy-nominated artist Rocky Dawuni, a native of Ghana and a longtime Champion of the Clean Cooking Alliance. In addition, the Forum’s convening power will facilitate a wide selection of side events hosted by CCA and partners, as well as a “Ghana Day” focusing on the state of the country’s clean cooking sector.
Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana
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