Clean cooking investment critical to women's empowerment, climate action – Samira Bawumia

Former Second Lady of Ghana, Hajia Samira Bawumia, has called for increased investment in clean cooking solutions across Africa, saying the transition is critical to protecting women's health, promoting gender equality and tackling climate change.

Speaking as a panellist at the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya, Türkiye, she said traditional cooking methods continued to expose women and girls to harmful smoke while contributing to deforestation and environmental degradation.

She noted that women in Africa spent an estimated 80 hours a week cooking, time she said could otherwise be used for education and economic activities.

“The time it takes to collect firewood, to travel and to prepare meals takes a toll on girls and women. It affects their education,” she said.

Mrs. Bawumia, who is a Global Ambassador and Global Champion of the Clean Cooking Alliance, argued that clean cooking should be treated as a development priority and integrated into broader food, energy and gender policies.

She cited estimates by the International Energy Agency (IEA) that Africa would require about US$4 billion annually by 2030 to achieve the transition to clean cooking.

She also called for stronger political commitment and collaboration among governments, development partners and the private sector to accelerate access to cleaner cooking technologies.

On Ghana's progress, she highlighted initiatives including the distribution of three million improved cookstoves, the development of a National Clean Cooking Strategy and Investment Prospectus, and efforts to promote sustainable woodlots.

She, however, stressed the need for a coordinated national approach, given that clean cooking involves several sectors, including health, energy, education and the environment.

“The challenge is how to go about it and who owns it, because it is a multi-sectoral issue. You cannot leave it to just one sector,” she said.