Post a comment 
Government officials, development partners, and stakeholders gathered on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at The Palm Hotel in Freetown for a National Clean Cooking Strategy Familiarization Workshop aimed at advancing the implementation of Sierra Leone’s clean cooking agenda.
The workshop opened with remarks from the Deputy Minister of Environment and Climate Change, followed by statements from the ECOWAS Ambassador. Environmental and development expert Kandeh Yumkella also addressed participants, while Aminata Wurie delivered a presentation on the strategy and its expected impact. Minister of Energy Cyril Arnold Grant was also in attendance and joined discussions on promoting cleaner and more sustainable cooking solutions across the country.
Discussions focused on the key objectives of the National Clean Cooking Strategy, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions, combating deforestation, improving air quality, and enhancing livelihoods through access to cleaner and more efficient cooking technologies.
The Sierra Leone National Clean Cooking Strategy seeks to reduce the country’s heavy dependence on firewood and charcoal for cooking. Traditional cooking methods contribute significantly to forest degradation, indoor air pollution, and carbon emissions.
The strategy promotes cleaner alternatives such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), improved cookstoves, biogas, electricity, and other modern energy solutions. Proponents say the shift aims to protect the environment, improve public health particularly for women and children most exposed to household smoke and support Sierra Leone’s climate change commitments.
The initiative is also expected to create economic opportunities, reduce pressure on forests, and provide households with safer, more efficient, and affordable cooking options, contributing to the country’s broader sustainable development goals.
