The Ministry of Energy and Green Transition has taken a decisive step toward sustainable energy adoption, hosting a two-day National Clean Cooking Policy and Strategy Workshop. This landmark event convened policymakers, industry leaders, and development partners to address critical public health concerns and environmental sustainability linked to household cooking methods.
In his keynote address, Minister for Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, underscored the pressing need for a shift away from traditional cooking fuels. He revealed that nearly 60% of Ghanaian households still rely on solid fuels such as charcoal and firewood, a dependence that contributes to approximately 6,500 deaths annually due to household air pollution. Particularly vulnerable are children under five, who face severe health risks from indoor smoke exposure.
To combat these challenges, the Ministry introduced the proposed National Clean Cooking Policy (NCCP), designed to establish a structured regulatory framework to accelerate the adoption of clean cooking solutions. The policy promotes a diversified energy mix, including Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), electric stoves, biogas, and improved biomass cookstoves.
Jinapor highlighted the policy’s potential to attract investment in the clean cooking sector. “The NCCP will provide regulatory and fiscal incentives to drive private sector participation, support local industry development, and ensure clean cooking technologies are both affordable and widely accessible,” he stated. He further emphasized the need for public awareness campaigns to encourage a behavioral shift towards sustainable cooking solutions.
A key highlight of the workshop was the announcement of the revised National Clean Cooking Strategy (NCCS) and the accompanying Investment Prospectus (IP), both of which outline a clear implementation roadmap. These documents define stakeholder responsibilities and detail the financial resources required to scale up the adoption of clean cooking technologies.
“Achieving universal access to clean cooking is not solely a government responsibility; it requires a collaborative, multi-stakeholder approach,” Jinapor remarked, calling on private sector players, international development partners, and civil society organizations to contribute actively to the initiative.
Chief Director of the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition, Wilhelmina Asamoah, reiterated the importance of inclusivity in the national dialogue. “This workshop provides a platform for open engagement, knowledge sharing, and strategic partnerships,” she said, noting that it is the first of three regional workshops designed to gather insights from Ghana’s southern, middle, and northern regions.
The initiative has garnered strong backing from the World Bank, which has played a pivotal role in supporting Ghana’s clean cooking agenda. The workshop also explored financing mechanisms and business models that will enable local enterprises to thrive in the clean cooking sector, fostering economic growth while reducing environmental impact.
With the NCCP and NCCS paving the way for structured implementation, Ghana is positioning itself as a regional leader in sustainable household energy solutions. The focus now shifts to translating policy into tangible results, ensuring that clean, safe, and affordable cooking solutions reach every Ghanaian household.
