Samira Bawumia champions solar-powered healthcare, clean cooking at COP31

Former Second Lady of Ghana, Hajia Samira Bawumia, has called for increased investment in solar-powered healthcare systems and clean cooking solutions, highlighting their importance in protecting women and children from the health effects of climate change.

She made the call during two high-level engagements at the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya, Türkiye, where she advocated practical interventions to connect climate action with improved health outcomes.

At the Africa Women and Youth Climate Centre (AFRYWOCC) High-Level Dialogue, held at the World Health Organization’s Health Pavilion, Mrs Bawumia advocated solar-powered healthcare facilities to improve maternal and newborn health across Africa.

She highlighted the Safe Delivery Project under the Samira Empowerment and Humanitarian Projects (SEHP), which aims to improve access to essential maternal healthcare services, particularly for women in underserved communities.

Her intervention focused on providing reliable energy for healthcare facilities so women can access safe childbirth services, including in areas where electricity supply remains a challenge.

The Health Pavilion is part of the WHO's programme at COP31, which brings together health stakeholders to advance climate-related health solutions.

At the Marrakech Partnership Axis 5 Showcase on Delivering Climate-Health Action, she shifted attention to clean cooking, urging stakeholders to accelerate access to cleaner cooking technologies to reduce health risks affecting women and children.

She argued that climate change extends beyond environmental degradation, with household air pollution and reliance on traditional cooking fuels posing major threats to public health, particularly for vulnerable groups.

Mrs Bawumia stressed that innovative financing, clean energy solutions, and stronger partnerships are needed to turn climate commitments into interventions that protect lives and improve living conditions.

“The climate crisis is a health crisis,” she stated, calling for practical action as the international community looks towards COP32.

Her participation in the two engagements reflects her continued advocacy for the intersection of climate action, healthcare and women's empowerment, with particular attention to solutions that respond to the needs of African communities.

The Marrakech Partnership showcase was held on November 11 under the Global Climate Action Agenda's human and social development axis.