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

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 Commendation Newly Elected National Executive Board Members Cross-sections of Participants Annual GA 2015