World Vision Ghana has distributed 1,000 energy-efficient cookstoves to 30 communities in the Binduri District as part of efforts to promote sustainable cooking, reduce deforestation, and enhance the health and livelihoods of rural families.
The initiative formed part of the organisation’s scale-up of the Farmer-Managed Natural Regeneration PLUS (FMNR PLUS) project, which focuses on environmental protection, climate resilience, and community empowerment.
In a speech read on his behalf at a short ceremony to present items by Mr Samuel Abasiba, FMNR Project Manager, Mr Rexford Yamdorg Bugre, the Northern Regional Operations Manager of World Vision Ghana, described the project as a significant milestone in the district’s journey toward sustainable development and environmental stewardship.
He said the improved cookstove, known as ‘Gyapa,’ which uses 46 per cent less fuel and emits less smoke, would help reduce the country’s high reliance on firewood and charcoal, which currently accounts for more than 80 per cent of household energy consumption.
According to Mr Bugre, the overdependence on biomass fuel had contributed to an estimated 70 per cent decline in Ghana’s forest cover over the past four decades.
“The World Bank estimates that four million premature deaths occur globally each year due to pollution from traditional open-fire cooking methods,” he said, adding that rural communities, where the use of firewood and charcoal exceeds 95 per cent, were most affected.
He explained that the introduction of energy-saving stoves would reduce carbon emissions, limit exposure to toxic fumes, and free up household finances that would otherwise be spent on fuel.
“Today, we are not just distributing cookstoves; we are empowering communities,” he said, adding, “By raising awareness, we can stimulate demand, leading to widespread adoption of the Gyapa cookstove and all the advantages it provides.”
Mr Bugre announced that Phase II of the FMNR PLUS project, running from May 2024 to March 2026, aims to reach 5,000 individuals while deepening interventions in environmental governance, disaster risk reduction, financial inclusion, and sustainable livelihoods.
He commended the KNAUER family and company, as well as other partners and stakeholders, whose support had made the project possible.
He said the initiative contributes significantly to six goals of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as poverty reduction, good health and well-being, decent work, economic growth, and climate action.
Mr Bugre said each Gyapa stove distributed would help improve air quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, create jobs within the stove production and distribution chain, and boost local businesses.
He called on community members to embrace cleaner cooking solutions and join efforts to curb the high rate of deforestation in the country.
“Let us be stewards of our beautiful land and ensure that we leave a flourishing environment for future generations. Together, through education and innovation, we can change lives,” he said.
Mr William Anamoo, Planning Officer, Binduri District Assembly, commended World Vision Ghana for their continued support to the development of the district and the region which had contributed to improve the lives of the many communities.
He urged the beneficiary farmers to put the energy-efficient cookstoves into good use to help the smoke associated diseases and reduce their overdependence of the forest for firewood which had over the years contributed to depleting the forest and deepening the climate crisis.
Mrs Martha Mbila, a beneficiary who spoke on behalf of her colleagues, thanked World Vision Ghana for supporting in various sectors including the Savings for Transformation which had contributed to improve their lives.
She expressed optimism that with the availability of the improved cookstoves, it would reduce the cutting of the trees for firewood which would go a long way to protect the environment.
GNA
