FROM CHARCOAL TO LPG: ONE CATERER'S JOURNEY

BY: Safiyya Muhammad Ikleel

For years, charcoal was part of the daily routine for one caterer. 

Today, a blue LPG flame has replaced much of that work

Her transition to LPG offers a close-up look at what Ghana’s move towards clean cooking can mean for people who depend on cooking for their livelihoods. “I decided to switch totally to LPG because of how fast it works. I do not inhale any smoke and it makes my cooking area very clean. But charcoal does not give me control over the heat. I have to take the pot off the fire to fix the charcoal, making my hands dirty with charcoal. I feel like its a lot of stress”

For caterer Zulaiha Ismail, the difference is practical. With LPG, she can adjust the flame depending on what she is cooking instead of relying on the intensity of a charcoal fire. The absence of smoke has also changed her working environment. Her cooking space stays cleaner, while she avoids the constant smoke associated with her former cooking method.

The transition is not without challenges. The benefits have come with difficulties. For the caterer, the cost of refilling her cylinder can be a burden when the price of LPG goes up. "Sometimes, the gas gets finished unexpectedly which sometimes messes up with my cooking and delays my order" she pointed out. When that happens, she claims she has to return to charcoal due to the distance of the fueling station.

Charcoal remains a fallback when LPG disappoints

Also, safety can be an issue. According to her, leakages can lead to explosion if not checked. These challenges make it impossible for her to transition totally as she desires. 

Ghana has made progress in expanding access to cleaner cooking. According to Ghana’s 2025 Voluntary National Review, LPG accounted for 47.9% of primary cooking fuel in 2024. However, the wider transition remains incomplete, with the report noting issues of cost and access as a hindrance.  

In the video below, Climate Change expert, Sandra Naa Ayikailey Ayikwei tells us why it is important to invest in clean cooking as a country. 

Zulaiha’s experience shows both challenges and benefits associated with clean cooking transition. For Ghana, the challenge is not only getting people to adopt cleaner cooking technologies, but creating conditions that allow them to continue using them. 

Zulaiha cooks with clean energy at home

As a country, if we want to transition entirely to clean cooking, we must put in more efforts.