WASHINGTON, D.C. — Ghana’s former Second Lady, Her Excellency Samira Bawumia, has been re-appointed as a Global Champion of the Clean Cooking Alliance (CCA), a move that underscores her pivotal role in advancing clean cooking, women’s empowerment, and climate justice worldwide. The announcement, made during the CCA’s Leadership Series by CEO Dymphna van der Lans, celebrates Bawumia’s six years of tireless advocacy, even as she transitions from public office following her husband Mahamudu Bawumia’s loss in the 2024 presidential election to John Dramani Mahama.
Mrs. Bawumia’s re-appointment highlights the intersection of health, gender equality, and environmental sustainability in Africa, where over 900 million people—mostly women and children—rely on traditional biomass fuels like firewood and charcoal for cooking, leading to 18,000 premature deaths annually in Ghana alone from toxic smoke exposure. Founded in 2010 under the United Nations Foundation, the CCA mobilizes a global network to provide access to clean cooking solutions for 2.3 billion people lacking them, aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goal 7 on affordable and clean energy. Van der Lans praised Bawumia as a “relentless force” in a September 7, 2025, feature, noting her ability to elevate the issue from local initiatives to international forums.
Ghana’s context amplifies Mrs. Bawumia’s impact. As Second Lady from 2017 to 2025, she founded the Samira Empowerment and Humanitarian Projects (SEHP) and the Africa Women and Children Conference (AFRIWOCC), platforms that have distributed clean cookstoves, trained women entrepreneurs, and raised awareness on household air pollution’s toll—equivalent to 4 million global deaths yearly, per WHO data. Her work ties into broader African challenges: Climate change exacerbates deforestation, with Ghana losing 1.5% of its forests annually, while women’s unpaid labor in fuel collection hinders economic participation. Samira Bawumia’s advocacy has secured partnerships, including with the WHO’s Health and Energy Platform and the Clean Air Fund, where she serves as a champion, pushing for investments in liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and efficient stoves.
The Leadership Series installment, spotlighting innovators from policymakers to grassroots leaders, positions Bawumia alongside figures like former Irish President Mary Robinson in scaling clean cooking across Africa. “This is not just an energy issue; it is a critical matter of health, gender equality, climate justice, and economic empowerment,” Bawumia stated in the conversation, reflecting her holistic approach. She has championed urgent action at events like the 2025 SEforALL Global Forum in Barbados, where she opened sessions on mini-grids and clean cooking to fast-track SDG7.
Renewed Commitment in a Shifting Political Landscape
Post-2024 elections, Mrs. Samira Bawumia’s non-partisan role allows her to bridge divides, especially as Ghana advances under Mahama’s “Reset Ghana” agenda, which includes climate hubs and green transitions. Her re-appointment signals continuity in global partnerships, with CCA aiming for universal access by 2030 under the Paris Agreement. Mrs. Bawumia expressed gratitude: “It has been a privilege to walk this journey with CCA over the past six years, and I look forward to continuing our work together until we’ve ensured a cleaner, healthier, more equitable future for all.”
This re-appointment arrives amid heightened focus on climate diplomacy, as seen in Minister Seidu Issifu’s calls for Ghana-China green ties. With Africa’s clean cooking market projected to hit $50 billion by 2030, Mrs. Bawumia’s platform could attract investments in renewable fuels, creating jobs and reducing emissions—vital as Ghana’s GDP grows 4.5% and inflation cools to 11.5%. Yet challenges persist: Affordability barriers and supply chain issues demand scaled-up financing, a gap Bawumia aims to address through AFRIWOCC’s annual conferences.
