Radha’s Message for April 2014
Dear Friends,
I have just returned from a very exciting week of stakeholder meetings and site visits in Ghana, and am more convinced than ever that the Alliance’s market-based approach is gaining traction and helping to build a strong clean cooking sector in the country. It had been about a year since I was last in Ghana and a few things stood out to me.
First, the high level of senior government engagement, including the leadership of Foreign Minister Hannah Tetteh, Minister of Energy Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, and the Energy Commission has been critical to the remarkable progress the country has made in addressing solid fuel use.
Secondly, the growth and development of products and entrepreneurs has been significant with 18 different manufacturers showcasing over two dozen clean cookstoves and fuels. And I was delighted to see not just one but two well-known Alliance Ambassadors with Stephen Appiah joining the Alliance. Also, it was good to see the growth and evolution of the Ghana Alliance for Clean Cookstoves (GHACCO) which was not only an able cohost for the Ghana National Clean Cookstoves and Fuels Conference, but helped put together an amazing itinerary for the Alliance’s first Observation and Learning Trip to Ghana and helped us launch the new Catalytic Small Grants Program.
I also had the privilege of several radio and television appearances during my trip to Ghana, and enjoyed the chance to kick off our new consumer awareness campaign by discussing the household air pollution issue with the general public.
In closing, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the recent release in Ghana of the Alliance’s 2013 Results Reporting Survey and the importance of full participation by our 950+ global partners. It is with the contributions to the sector and hard work of all of you, that I am confident we can reach our 100 million adoption goal by 2020.
Sincerely,
Radha Muthiah