2nd Lady inaugurates innovative kitchen stove for Nkoranza Tech
The Second Lady, Mrs Samira Bawumia, on Tuesday inaugurated an improved institutional kitchen stove at Nkoranza Technical Institute at Nkoranza in the Bono East Region.
The innovative stove, designed to promote clean cooking and sustainable energy practices, replaces the traditional open-cooking system that relies heavily on firewood.
Each one of the four adjoined stoves stand about half a metre high, with a small opening that minimises firewood usage and is equipped with saucepans suitable for various cooking methods, including frying and boiling.
The provision of the stove is part of an initiative being implemented by the Energy Commission (EC) to enhance sustainable use of renewable energy resources, and ensure healthier cooking options for secondary institutions nationwide.
The Nkoranza Technical Institute is the first school in the country to adopt this new technology, with plans for broader implementation across the country’s educational establishments.
During the inauguration ceremony, the Second Lady emphasised the importance of the new initiative in promoting clean and healthier cooking.
“This advancement will help reduce non-communicable diseases linked to air pollution, which account for over 20,000 deaths annually in Ghana,” she stated.
Mrs Bawumia also highlighted the detrimental effects of continued reliance on wood fuels which contributes to deforestation and exacerbates climate change.
As an advocate for climate, energy, and sustainable education, Mrs Bawumia expressed the hope for increased adoption of electrical and improved cooking technologies by Ghanaians.
She noted that currently, the use of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) stood at 39 per cent.
She commended the EC for its commitment to advancing this technology and further urged students to work diligently towards their aspirations.
The EC Executive Secretary, Mr Oscar Amanoo Neizer, said the project was part of the Commission’s corporate social responsibility.
He explained that Nkoranza Technical Institute was awarded the first project due to its exceptional performance in the Commission’s Senior High Schools Renewable Energy Challenge where the school was ranked 2nd and 5th in 2022 and 2023, respectively.
Mr Neizer encouraged the school’s principal to integrate the new facility into the students’ practical learning experiences in order to enhance their technical skills.
The Principal of the Nkoranza Technical Institute, Albert Adusei, hailed the project as a landmark achievement for the institution, highlighting its potential to elevate teaching and learning.
He commended the Commission and the government for their support.
FROM DANIEL DZIRASAH,
NKORANZA
