Firewood, charcoal silent killers — Speakers at NPA forum

Speakers at a forum held at Kpando on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) have emphasised the health risks associated with the use of firewood and charcoal for cooking. 

They highlighted the severe health risks posed by the continued use of firewood and charcoal in homes, stressing that switching to LPG is not just a convenience but a necessity to safeguard lives.

The forum was part of a week-long awareness and sensitisation campaign in the Volta Region put together by the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) and its partners.

The Volta regional tour aimed to inspire a shift in mindset and practices across the country by educating the public on the health and environmental benefits of using LPG for cooking.

The forum targeted key stakeholders such as community leaders, market queens, municipal and district chief executives (MCEs and DCEs) and consumers through market engagements, town hall meetings and community durbars.

The partners are the Oil Sustainability Programme (OSP) under Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Energy and Digicraft Advertising.

Kpando durbar

At a community durbar at Kpando, the Chairman of the Local Council of Churches, Rev. Selom Mireku, who is also a Priest at the Saint Patrick's Anglican Church, urged Ghanaians to advocate cleaner cooking alternatives.

Quoting alarming statistics from the World Health Organisation (WHO), Rev. Mireku stated that smoke from firewood and charcoal was responsible for over four million deaths globally each year.

Despite these dangers, many households in developing countries, including Ghana, still rely on these traditional fuels.

He explained that women and children who spent most of their time in the kitchen were particularly vulnerable to the harmful pollutants released by firewood smoke.

“These pollutants are linked to deadly health conditions such as respiratory diseases, heart problems, eye damage and even premature death,” he said, adding that indoor air pollution caused by traditional cooking methods has become a leading cause of preventable illness in low-income households.

He commended the NPA and its collaborators for their efforts in promoting LPG as a cleaner and more environmentally sustainable option and pledged to use his platform to educate his congregation and advocate the transition from firewood and charcoal to LPG.

Safety

The Head of Consumer Services at the NPA, Mrs Eunice Budu Nyarko, who led the campaign, emphasised the importance of public education on LPG safety.

She urged consumers to take safety precautions, including regular inspection of gas hoses for cracks and using only approved hoses for gas usage.

Mrs Nyarko also stressed the importance of checking rubber seals (washers) on the valve, and connecting hoses, stressing the need for professional help for repairs.

"Do not allow children to go near woodfuel fires and coal pots while cooking," Mrs Nyarko cautioned, adding that consumers should avoid using mobile phones while cooking to prevent accidents.
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The MCE of Kpando, Geoffrey Badassu, urged the NPA to continue its educational efforts in rural areas and intensify public sensitisation to LPG safety.

During a town hall meeting at Aflao, the Ketu South Health Officer, Edmund Adzakwadzo, emphasised the health risks that smoke posed to women and children  and encouraged the public to embrace the NPA’s education and sensitisation campaign.