Cooking with firewood similar to smoking two packs of cigarettes daily – Dr Danyoh

Dr. Richard Bright Danyoh from the Ghana Paediatric Association warns about traditional cooking methods. He compares their health impact to smoking multiple cigarettes daily.

At a climate dialogue in Jamestown, he discussed “Nationally Determined Contributions: Clean Cooking.” Dr. Danyoh shared alarming insights on the risks of using firewood and charcoal for cooking.

He cited a statistic from the World Health Organisation. Daily smoke exposure from these methods equals smoking two packs of cigarettes each day.

“If you’ve cooked this way for years, think about the damage done,” he said.

Dr. Danyoh noted that health risks extend beyond smoke irritation. Serious conditions include cataracts, lung cancer, and breast cancer.

He highlighted the dangers for pregnant women: “You could face hypertension, develop anaemia, or even lose your baby.”

He urged health professionals to raise awareness: “We need to share what we know. Talk about clean cooking benefits in our communities and workplaces. Use language people understand to make this issue relatable.”

In his call to action, Dr. Danyoh asked everyone to reflect on their kitchens: “How well ventilated is your kitchen? Where does the smoke go? If unsure about dangers, visit a traditional kitchen and see the black soot on walls. That’s what’s happening inside your body.”

“This is why clean cooking must be seen as a necessity, not a choice,” he concluded.