Over 60 Nations Pledge $4 Billion To Ensure Clean Cooking Access

By Sahr Ibrahim Komba

His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio, Dr. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella and key figures from over 60 nations met in Paris at the Clean Cooking Summit and pledged 4 billion Dollars towards providing clean cooking access.
The initiative aims to benefit 250 million African women by 2030 and also aims to curb traditional cooking methods that kill millions every year.
Dr. Akinwumi Adesina of the African Development Bank, President Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania, IEA’s Executive Director, Faith Birol are leading this significant effort to revolutionize clean cooking for nearly one billion Africans. This effort will ultimately reduce pollution- related deaths which is approximately half a million women and children each year.
Research shows that pollution flames from traditional stoves kill two million people over a year, mainly in Africa. Approximately 2.6 million people around the world use solid fuel (wood, charcoal) to cook their food on traditional stoves, often with little or no ventilation.
Speaking at the summit, President Bio emphasized the need of clean cooking energy noting that clean cooking energy is safe for cooking and helps to protect the environment. He said that 2.3 million people worldwide still cook using traditional methods like open fires or basic stoves adding that 1 in 5 of these individuals reside in Africa. President Bio stressed the need for action, stating that clean cooking is often overlooked in energy access planning and electrification efforts. He said that the summit serves as a crucial platform to send calls to address this issue for the betterment of all.
The Chairman of Presidential Initiative Climate Change Renewable Energy and Food Security, Dr. Kandeh K. Yumkella has worked in the energy sector for over two decades and has wealth of experience in energy related. In one of his resent interviews, Dr.Yumkella said the women and children bear the brunt of the negative impacts of traditional cooking adding that women and children often forced to gather their fuel for cooking and they can spend hours each walking to wood and carry it home. He urged stakeholders and policy makers to lead the transformative process to clean energy noting that traditional cooking methods have negative effective on the environment. He called on women to embrace clean cooking methods adding that clean cooking method is safe and free from health hazards. He said that president Bio is committed to transitioning to clean cooking energy noting that there is a political will to develop policies gear towards same. He called on policy makers to develop the roadmap for the transition process. Dr. Yumkella has engaged several stakeholders within and outside the country in order to promote and provide access to clean cooking energy in the country.