The Clean Cooking Alliance (CCA) has re-appointed Ghana’s former Second Lady, Samira Bawumia, as a Global Champion, recognising her continued commitment to advancing clean cooking, women’s empowerment, and climate justice.
The announcement was made during the CCA’s Leadership Series, led by CEO Dymphna van der Lans.
Samira Bawumia has been a leading advocate for clean cooking solutions, highlighting the dangers millions of African women and children face from toxic smoke caused by traditional cooking methods.
“This is not just an energy issue; it is a critical matter of health, gender equality, climate justice, and economic empowerment,” she stated during the Leadership Series conversation.
Through initiatives such as the Samira Empowerment and Humanitarian Projects (SEHP) and the African Women and Children Conference (AFRIWOCC), she has driven awareness and action to tackle the challenges of household air pollution across Africa.
The CCA, founded in 2010 with support from the United Nations Foundation, focuses on reducing household air pollution, which claims approximately four million lives annually.
The organisation promotes clean cooking technologies, provides grants, supports research, and builds cross-sector partnerships to make clean cooking a global priority.
Reflecting on her renewed role, Samira Bawumia expressed her gratitude and commitment.
“I am honoured by this renewed mandate as a Global Champion for CCA. What gives me hope is the visionary leadership of CCA and its unwavering mandate to make clean cooking a global priority,” she said.
She called on governments to integrate clean cooking into national strategies, urged donors to increase funding, and encouraged private sector investment in innovative, female-led solutions.
As she resumes her role, Samira Bawumia’s re-appointment signals a strengthened commitment to promoting clean cooking as a foundation for health, gender equality, climate action, and economic empowerment, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
About the Author
