The Clean Cooking Alliance (CCA) and the Government of Ghana have hosted the Clean Cooking Forum 2022 in Accra from October 11-13.

With more than 600 attendees from over 50 countries, the Forum is the world’s largest convening of investors, executives, government officials, academics, and advocates working to accelerate access to clean cooking.

"The Clean Cooking Forum is an opportunity to showcase Ghana’s leadership on the matter of clean cooking and inspire stakeholders around the world, to take more action towards a just and inclusive clean energy transition". 

Rebecca Akufo-Addo, First Lady of The Republic of Ghana said “it will be impossible to meet global climate goals, achieve a just clean energy transition, protect our environment, achieve gender equality and provide a future for the next generation, without changing the way people cook.

Around three out of four Ghanaians depend on polluting fuels such as charcoal, wood, and kerosene to cook their meals. Cooking this way leads to thousands of premature deaths in Ghana each year, while also polluting the air and causing widespread forest degradation.

“We must think of clean cooking as an issue that cuts across many other socio-economic concerns, and therefore requires the attention of many different ministries, as well as investors and development partners, if we are to reach universal access,” said the Second Lady of Ghana and CCA Champion, Hajia Samira Bawumia.

 “This Forum is an important sign of how Ghana is prioritizing clean cooking efforts even more in the years ahead – not just at home, but across West Africa and at a global level”, she explained.

Traditionally a biennial event, the 2022 Forum was delayed by one year due to risks of COVID-19.

Taking place less than a month before COP27 in Egypt, and with the 2030 target date of the Sustainable Development Goals quickly approaching, the Forum is poised to be a crucial catalyst for progress toward global energy, health, gender, and climate goals.

Across high-level plenaries and more than 20 curated breakout sessions, attendees engaged on topics such as financing and investment, technology and business innovation, climate funding and results-based financing, national policymaking that supports market growth, youth and women’s empowerment, and much more.

The Forum also featured an Innovation Expo, showcasing the latest developments in clean cooking technologies and business models, including many from across Ghana.

The Forum also featured a musical performance from two-time Grammy nominated artist Rocky Dawuni, a native of Ghana and a longtime Champion of the Clean Cooking Alliance. In addition, the Forum’s convening power will facilitate a wide selection of side events hosted by CCA and partners, as well as a “Ghana Day” focusing on the state of the country’s clean cooking sector.

CCA commended the African Development Bank, Global Affairs Canada, the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation, the United Nations Capital Development Fund, World Bank ESMAP, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Endev, the European Commission, the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sustainable Energy for All, Modern Energy Cooking Services, UK AID, BIX Capital, the African Guarantee Fund, and the Africa-Europe Foundation.