AYV News, April 29, 2026
Sierra Leone’s First Lady, Dr. Fatima Maada Bio, has officially launched the 2026 ECOWAS Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) Programme alongside a High-Level Policy Dialogue on Clean Cooking, Gender Equality, and Child Protection, calling for urgent regional action to address what she described as a “growing public health crisis” across Africa.
Speaking at the launch, Dr. Bio highlighted the severity of the situation, noting that millions of people globally still lack access to clean cooking solutions, with devastating health consequences.
She stated that over 9.6 million people worldwide remain without access to clean cooking, while approximately 3.7 million deaths occur annually due to exposure to smoke and toxic fumes from traditional cooking methods, disproportionately affecting women and children.
“In Sierra Leone, only about 1.5% of the population has access to clean cooking, meaning more than 98% still rely on biomass such as firewood,” she said. “Even our School Feeding Programme, which serves over 600,000 children, continues to depend on firewood for meal preparation.”
Describing the situation as both a national emergency and a public health crisis, the First Lady emphasized that the burden of unsafe cooking practices is a daily reality for millions of African women who often have no alternative.
She expressed appreciation to President Julius Maada Bio, who also serves as ECOWAS Chairman, as well as to the ECOWAS delegation, the Clean Cooking Alliance, PIECREF, fellow African First Ladies, and the Government of Sierra Leone for their continued support.
Dr. Bio further announced her acceptance of the role of Regional Clean Cooking Champion for West Africa, pledging to advocate for expanded access to clean energy solutions across the region.
“This is a direct call for collective action,” she said. “We must ensure that no woman dies because she lacks access to clean cooking. Let us transform the way we cook in our homes and communities.”
The First Lady concluded with a message of hope and unity for the continent, calling for sustained commitment to clean energy transition in Africa.
