France, Aug. 10 -- Ghana is stepping up efforts to move households away from firewood and charcoal, which are still used in 78 percent of homes and contribute to deforestation, indoor air pollution and carbon emissions. The government is promoting cleaner cookstoves as a safer, more efficient alternative.

The Clean Cookstove Initiative is focused on cutting wood fuel demand and reducing the health risks linked to smoke inhalation - particularly among women and children. It also aims to help curb climate change and protect forests.

The programme is targeting smallholder farmers and rural households in five regions: Western, Central, Ashanti, Eastern and Upper West. There are plans to extend it to more parts of the country.

The stoves ar...