Promoting safer cooking: NPA advocates gas over firewood, charcoal
The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has conducted community and market engagements in the Western Region as part of intensified efforts to promote safe cooking practices.
Through the engagements, the authority is educating Ghanaians on the health, safety and environmental benefits of using Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) over traditional cooking fuels such as firewood and charcoal.
Some of the towns and communities visited include Axim, Agona Nkwanta, Kojokrom and Jubilee, where the NPA team members held interactive sessions and presentations, and distributed educational materials on LPG safety.
The exercise culminated in a grand durbar at the Kwesimintsim Lorry Station where stakeholders emphasised the urgency of transitioning to cleaner energy sources.
Durbar
Speaking at the durbar, the Divisional Chief of Kwesimintsim, Nana Ogudzi Essoun III, highlighted the significant health risks posed by traditional cooking methods. He cited research showing that prolonged exposure to smoke from firewood and charcoal led to respiratory diseases, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and heart-related illnesses.
He also stated that children exposed to such smoke faced higher risks of pneumonia, while pregnant women might experience complications, including low birth weight in their newborns.
“By embracing LPG, households can drastically reduce indoor air pollution, protect their health, and improve their overall quality of life,” Nana Essoun said, urging the NPA and government to make gas accessible, affordable and available to all Ghanaians.
The Divisional Chief of Kwesimintsim commended the NPA for spearheading the campaign, describing it as a critical step towards environmental sustainability and public health improvement.
LPG, a clean-burning fuel, produces significantly fewer emissions than traditional fuels, thereby mitigating deforestation and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Cleaner, healthier
Addressing participants, Supervisor of Gas at the NPA, Johnson Gbagbo Jnr, explained the environmental and health advantages of LPG, saying, “LPG is a cleaner and healthier alternative to firewood and charcoal. It not only protects our environment but also reduces exposure to harmful pollutants that cause respiratory diseases, eye damage and heart conditions.”
Mr Gbagbo emphasised the need for the urgent adoption of LPG, calling on Ghanaians to transition to gas as a sure way to stay safe and healthy.
In earlier engagements, the Head of Consumer Service at the NPA, Eunice Budu Nyarko, interacted with market women at Axim Market and the landing beach site.
She explained that continuous inhalation of smoke from traditional fuels damaged the lungs and eyes.
Mrs Nyarko encouraged participants to embrace LPG and highlighted the introduction of the Cylinder Recirculation Model (CRM), a government initiative designed to enhance access to LPG and ensure safety throughout the distribution chain.
An officer of the Ghana National Fire Service, Divisional Officer Grade II, Bernard Adjei, took participants through fire safety and drills.
Nationwide campaign
The Western Region campaign is part of a nationwide initiative by the NPA to promote LPG as a sustainable and environmentally friendly cooking fuel.
Similar campaigns have been held in the Greater Accra, Ashanti and Volta regions.
These efforts align with global strategies to mitigate climate change by reducing reliance on biomass fuels, which contribute to deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions.