World Vision Ghana has distributed 1,000 energy-efficient Gyapa cookstoves to women across 30 communities in the Binduri District as part of efforts to combat climate change, reduce deforestation, and improve household health.
The distribution, carried out on Tuesday, forms part of the Farmer-Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR) PLUS Project, a climate resilience initiative aimed at restoring the environment and promoting sustainable livelihoods.
In a speech on behalf of World Vision’s Northern Operations Manager, Rexford Y. Bugre, the FMNR Project Manager, Samuel Abasiba, emphasised the urgent need for sustainable cooking practices, noting that over 80% of Ghanaian households rely on firewood and charcoal, a key driver of the country’s alarming 70% forest loss over the last four decades.
He added that traditional open-fire cooking contributes significantly to global air pollution, resulting in an estimated 4 million premature deaths annually.
“The Gyapa stove uses 46% less fuel and produces far less smoke. This means fewer trees cut down, fewer toxic fumes, and healthier families,” Mr. Abasiba stated.
He emphasized that the cookstoves will not only reduce carbon emissions but also free women and children from the daily burden of searching for firewood — a task that consumes time and contributes heavily to environmental degradation.
Mr. Abasiba announced that Phase II of the FMNR PLUS Project, running from May 2024 to March 2026, seeks to reach 5,000 beneficiaries across the northern sector. The project will strengthen environmental governance, boost sustainable livelihoods, enhance disaster risk reduction efforts, and promote financial inclusion.
He noted that the initiative aligns with six Sustainable Development Goals, including poverty reduction, good health, climate action, and economic empowerment—made possible through support from the KNAUER family and company and other partners.
“Today, we are not just distributing cookstoves; we are empowering communities… Together, we can protect our forests and pave the way for a greener and more sustainable Ghana.”
Speaking on behalf of the Binduri District Chief Executive, Planner Officer William Anamoo praised World Vision Ghana for its longstanding contributions to development in Binduri. He urged the beneficiaries to use the cookstoves consistently to avoid continued dependence on firewood.
“These stoves are a privilege. Do not take them and abandon them. Use them to reduce the cutting down of trees. When the last tree dies, the last man dies.”
He encouraged non-beneficiary households to adopt the energy-saving stoves on their own initiative rather than waiting for future distributions.
On behalf of the women beneficiaries, Mbila Martha expressed appreciation for World Vision’s continuous support for women in Binduri, including the introduction of Susu savings groups and other empowerment initiatives.
She acknowledged the environmental dangers of firewood dependency but noted that poverty often leaves them with no alternative.
“We normally go to the bush to cut firewood because we have no other option. Now that we have received these stoves, we will reduce the cutting to help protect the land.”
The Gyapa cookstoves are expected to reduce pressure on forests, cut household expenses on fuel, improve indoor air quality, and create jobs within the cookstove supply chain. World Vision Ghana says it will intensify community education to ensure widespread adoption of the stoves and drive long-term environmental impact.
The organization is calling on families, traditional leaders, and stakeholders to join the campaign for cleaner cooking and environmental protection.
Source: A1Radioonline|101.1Mhz|Joshua Asaah|Binduri
