Opinions of Tuesday, 23 July 2024
Columnist: Anthony Obeng Afrane
Promoting LPG as a substitute for wood fuel in Ghana can have several benefits, including:
Environmental conservation: Switching from wood fuel to LPG can help reduce deforestation and preserve Ghana's forests, which are vital for biodiversity and carbon sequestration.
Improved air quality: LPG is a cleaner-burning fuel compared to wood, which produces harmful emissions when burned. By using LPG, households can reduce indoor air pollution and improve respiratory health, especially for women and children who are most affected by exposure to smoke from traditional cooking methods.
Time and cost savings: LPG is a more efficient fuel than wood, providing faster cooking times and requiring less fuel for the same amount of heat. This can save households time and money spent on collecting firewood or charcoal.
Economic benefits: Promoting the use of LPG can create new business opportunities in the supply chain, distribution, and maintenance of LPG equipment. This can stimulate economic growth and create jobs in the energy sector.
Energy security: Diversifying the energy sources used for cooking can help reduce the country's dependence on wood fuel imports and ensure a more reliable and sustainable energy supply for households.
Health benefits: By reducing exposure to indoor air pollution from wood fuel, promoting LPG can help prevent respiratory diseases and improve overall health outcomes, particularly for vulnerable populations.
Therefore, promoting LPG as a substitute for wood fuel in Ghana can contribute to sustainable development, environmental protection, and improved quality of life for its citizens.
In line with these benefits, Former President John Dramani Mahama, who is a 2024 presidential hopeful on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress, has promised to promote the use of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) as a substitute for wood fuel to reduce deforestation and improve air quality if given the opportunity by the electorate to become the next president of Ghana.
Mahama has pledged to provide incentives for households to switch from using wood fuel to LPG for cooking. He believes that this shift will not only help protect the country's forests but also reduce indoor air pollution, which is a major health concern in many rural areas.
In addition to promoting the use of LPG, Mahama has also promised to invest in renewable energy sources such as solar power to provide clean and sustainable energy for households and businesses.
If elected, Mahama plans to work with stakeholders in the energy sector to develop policies and programs that will encourage the adoption of cleaner cooking fuels and reduce the country's reliance on wood fuel. He believes that by promoting the use of LPG and other clean energy sources, Ghana can achieve its development goals while also protecting the environment for future generations.