Impact of Improved Cook Stoves Adoption on Deforestation, Socio-Economic and Health Status of Selected Communities in the Oti and Volta Regions of Ghana.

Abstract

To reduce deforestation along the Volta Lake and evapotranspiration of water in the Akosombo reservoir, the Volta River Authority (VRA) embarked on a reforestation project. However, the reforestation project was thwarted by the over reliance on trees for firewood usage in Traditional Three stone stoves (T3SS) in communities around the Volta Lake. The VRA then introduced Improved Cook stoves (ICS) which was believed to consume less firewood in communities along the Volta Lake in the Biakoye, South and North Dayi districts and Kpando municipality. This study sought to ascertain the benefits of the ICS and to understand why adoption of the ICS was still low after three years of introducing the ICS, thus, affecting the forest cover in the reforested areas. Using a mixed-method strategy to conduct a cross-sectional study with 184 respondents and twenty (20) stoves for Controlled Cooking Test (CCT) following Bailis (2007) guidelines, the study revealed through a Chi-square analysis of 0% likelihood of developing self-reported health issues when using the ICS and 87% likelihood of developing self-reported health issues when using the ‘T3SS’. In addition, a T-test on CCT results revealed that the ICS reduced 58% of CO (M=0.75, SD=1.39) and 50% of PM2.5 (M=0.57, SD =1.68) when compared to the ‘T3SS’ CO (M= 1.79, SD=1.55) and PM2.5 (M= 1.13, SD= 1.89) and the result was statistically significant. Further, even though a T-test shows that the ICS saved 50g (0.05kg) of firewood during the CCT, it was not statistically significant. Also, duration of cooking 2604g (2.604kg) of “Banku” on the ICS took longer than cooking on the ‘T3SS’ with 30% of time saved by the ‘T3SS’. Again, 59% of ICS users did not use their ICS exclusively (stove stacking), but rather complement it with ‘T3SS’ for commercial activities (smoking or frying fish, process oil or gari). In addition, analysis of GIS and remote sensing data revealed sparse vegetation growth of reforested area as the dependence on firewood for energy was still high. Through the lenses of theory of energy ladder and theory of diffusion, the study revealed that the cost of the ICS, other uses of T3SS and limitations associated with the ICS usage as barriers affecting adoption. It was recommended that the ICS should be reengineered to correct the limitations in using the ICS to accommodate the cultural practices in the study areas. Further, education and effective monitoring of the use of ICS should be increased. Finally, the provision of alternative sources of livelihood should also be considered to break the economic barrier influencing the adoption of ICS.