Freetown: His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio has officially launched the Economic Community of West African States Commission's Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Programme in Sierra Leone, unveiling a pilot phase that will deliver 10,000 canisters of clean cooking gas to households across the country. The launch took place during a high-level policy dialogue on clean cooking, gender equality and child protection, bringing together regional leaders, policymakers, development partners and private sector stakeholders to advance access to safer and more sustainable cooking solutions across West Africa. According to Sierra Leone News Agency, President Bio described access to clean cooking as both a public health and development priority, revealing that nearly 10,000 Sierra Leoneans died in 2021 from air pollution linked to cooking with firewood and charcoal. He stated that the issue is not confined to Sierra Leone but is a broader African challenge that requires a collective response. President Bio highlig hted the disproportionate impact of indoor air pollution on women and children, associating it with poverty, inequality, and lack of opportunity. President Bio mentioned that upon taking office in 2018, there was an absence of a clear accountability framework for clean cooking. Since then, his administration has established a Clean Cooking Delivery Unit to coordinate reforms and accelerate progress. He urged the private sector to invest in clean cooking solutions, emphasizing the significant market potential and existing policy foundations. He also called for women's active participation as entrepreneurs and leaders in the clean energy value chain. First Lady Fatima Maada Bio highlighted the daily challenges faced by mothers and families due to traditional cooking methods. She emphasized the need for cleaner cooking systems in schools and homes, pointing out that many school meals are prepared using open-fire methods that expose cooks, teachers, and pupils to harmful emissions. Minister of Energy Cyril Arn old Grant stated that the launch signals Sierra Leone's readiness to expand access to clean cooking. He provided statistics showing reliance on firewood and charcoal, with only a small percentage using clean cooking solutions. Grant identified energy poverty as a driver of gender inequality and poor health outcomes. Rachel Ruto, along with other distinguished participants, emphasized the importance of ensuring no woman cooks in smoke and preserving forests by reducing dependence on charcoal and firewood. Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on Climate Change, Renewable Energy and Food Security, Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella, stressed the urgency of scaling up clean cooking adoption nationwide. The event also featured statements from representatives of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, the Clean Cooking Alliance, ECOWAS and regional dignitaries. Special addresses were delivered by the First Lady of Kenya, Madam Rachel Ruto and Global Ambassador for the Clean Cooking Alliance, Madam Samira Bawumia. The launch signifies a significant step toward cleaner household energy in Sierra Leone, with potential improvements in health outcomes, women's empowerment, and environmental sustainability.