Clean Cooking & Bioenergy Sector Newsletter 1

1. What we Stand For
The Ghana Alliance for Clean Cookstoves and Fuels
(GHACCO) was initiated in March 2012 by twenty-
three (23) stakeholder representatives of Civil Society
Organisations (CSOs), NGOs, Private Producers,
Distributors, Financial Institutions, Researchers, Grass
root practitioners, Marketers, Donor Agencies and
Partners to promote coordination, information sharing
and enhance capacity development among
stakeholders, particularly actors in the cookstove sector
in Ghana.
The Ghana Alliance for Clean
Cookstoves and Fuels (GHACCO) has
been established as a strong stakeholder
platform to lead the front to catalyze a
revolution in the cookstove sector and
mobilize high level national and donor
commitments towards the goal of universal
adoption of clean cookstoves and fuels in Ghana.
The network has an overriding target to foster the adoption of
clean cookstoves and fuels by 4million households in Ghana and
distributing 5million cookstoves by 2020.
Objectives of GHACCO
1. To support the development of a thriving national market
for clean cookstoves
2. To create a platform for enhancing capacity development
of member and promoting best practices in the cookstoves
sector.
3. To mobilize resources for actors in the sector to upscale
the production and distribution of clean cookstoves.
4. To strengthen coordination, innovative ideas,
influence policy and enhance information sharing
among members, state sector to upscale the production
and distribution of clean an improved cookstoves.
5. Create a collective voice for actors in the clean cookstoves
sector
6. Promote awareness and raise the profile of the sector’s
positive work in Ghana at the international level
7. Standardize issues in production, operations,
implementation, technical requirements of products quality
and services in the cookstoves sector.
8. Sensitize and educate citizens on the benefits and
importance of using clean cookstoves.
In line with GHACCO’s objectives, a lot of
strides have been made to propel its
advancements in achieving the Alliance’s
goals. They include:
i.
Recruitment of Permanent Staff for the Secretariat
As part of coordination and
administrative work,
GHACCO has recruited a
National Coordinator Mr.
William Horsu (left) and
Mr. Raymond Kusorgbor
(right) as Administrative and Program Officer to coordinate
activities of the Alliance among others.
Commencing their official duties on 1st
September, they have
been tasked with the responsibility of supporting and
developing a well-coordinated GHACCO
ii.
Membership Drive
GHACCO is designing “incentive structures” which would
specify clear rewards for intended results from members who
would through word of mouth, adverts among others who will
bring potential stakeholders into the alliance.
In this regard GHACCO is considering recommending
membership-based commissions.
HIGHLIGHTS FOR JUN-SEPT 2015
THE GHACCO NEWSLETTER Vol.1 Jun-Sept, 2015

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This way, it has created social media platform on “WhatsApp” to
sustain the interest of members by keeping them updated on
current issues.
The alliance is also making efforts at crossing the
Greater Accra and Ashanti regional borders to network with other
women’s groups across
the country.
iii.
Fundraising Activities
Due to the cuts in funding from the Global Alliance, more focus
has been placed on exploring external funding opportunities and
also emphasise members’ commitment to the payment of their
dues. Concrete steps that have been initiated comprise;
1. Forwarding diligently crafted proposals to Norway,
Netherlands, Canada, Ecofys and Climate Change Pioneers of
Germany towards securing financial sponsorship packages,
grants and other technical collaboration with GHACCO.
2. Harnessing possible opportunities with Mr. George Oustin of
Community Action Global Impact.
3. Scouting in-country opportunities to strike collaborations for
technical assistance towards fast tracking possible financial
application and documentation processes.
4. The facilitation of the formation of a committee to implement
GHACCO’s fundraising strategies.
iv.
Data Collation and Synthesis
GHACCO is keeping in touch with all manufacturers of ICS to
collect data on their operations to facilitate effective and accurate
data reporting. Properly reporting on individual activities will keep
the Alliance well informed on the broader national data in their
reporting, progress measurement and forecasting. 2nd
6th
v.
Training Workshop
A two-day capacity building
workshop was organised for
some members in Greater Accra
and Ashanti Regions on Friday,
11th September and 18th
September 2015 respectively.
The training was purposely to
help producers upscale their production to meet the overall goals
of the alliance and also educate them on
the ICS.
The resource persons touched on important topics including;
Marketing and planning, basic bookkeeping
and financial management skills and
Business registration.
vi.
Out-dooring of ICS Women-Advocates
Making a huge contribution to the awareness creation
strategy of the GHACCO is the link with women’s groups
to help stimulate the adoption of clean and efficient
cookstoves and fuels.
In this respect, 40 women have been out-doored as ICS
Advocates and provided with an improved cookstove each.
These women are chosen from the Greater Accra and
Ashanti Regions and will receive training to also become
trainers of other women and women’s groups.
i.
This international forum will be hosted in Ghana and is
expected to be the largest gathering of professionals
working to advance the clean cooking sector.
It is scheduled as follows:
ii.
The second of its kind, StovePlus will hold its second StovePlus
Academy and will be hosted once again by GHACCO in Ghana.
Bringing together participants from Madagascar, Senegal, Mali,
Kenya, Uganda and Cote d’Ivoire, the academy seeks to increase
continent-wide collaboration and knowledge about the industry
to strengthen African entrepreneurs‘ capacity to improve their
businesses and to contribute to the overall commercialisation
of energy efficient and clean cooking devices across Africa
10th – 13th November, 2015
Alisa Hotel, Accra – Ghana
2nd – 6th November, 2015
http://cleancookstoves.org/events/1
80.html

3. Dear Friends,
There has been a number of very
exciting developments for
GHACCO and in the clean
cook stoves and fuels sector over the
last couple of weeks. One of such
developments is the recruitment of
National Coordinator and Program
Officer to coordinate the day to day activities of
GHACCO and ensure that members’ needs are
addressed promptly and effectively at all times.
As you are all aware, the Alliance is in the second phase
of its action plan with which we seek to achieve among
others the following; increase consumer awareness,
increase access to finance, improve local technologies,
promote standardization and certification, labelling,
testing etc. in the sector. I need all hands on deck to make
these happen and plead with you to play active part in all
GHACCO activities and also attend meetings.
We read everyday in the mediat that the month of
November will be full of events; the world’s attention will
be on Ghana, as GHACCO hosts the first ever Clean
Cooking Forum 2015 in Africa from November 10 – 13.
The four-day conference offers an opportunity for
practitioners to come together to learn from each other
and work towards gaining the capacity and resources
necessary to scale up adoption of clean cooking solutions.
I therefore, look forward keenly to seeing active
participation of all members and stakeholders and
count on your fruitful contributions during the
forum.
GHACCO is furthermore, hosting a workshop
called “StovePlus Academy” in Accra from
November 2–6. The event being organised by
StovePlus, a French NGO, is a workshop for selected
Francophone and Anglophone stove manufacturers with
participants coming Madagascar, Senegal, Mali, Kenya,
Uganda, Cote d’ Ivoire.
I would like to thank the National Executive Board,
Members, Stakeholders and Partners for their supports
and I wish each and every one a Merry Christmas and a
Prosperous New Year in advance.
Thank you.
Mr. Nicholas Manu
National Chairman,
From The
Chairman's
Desk
Ghana’s Efforts Receives CommendationNewly Elected National Executive Board Members Cross-sections of Participants Annual GA 2015