Smoke in the Home: The Hidden Danger in Everyday Cooking

For millions of families in Ghana, cooking with charcoal and firewood is part of daily life - the crackling fire, the smoke-filled kitchen, the familiar routines of preparing meals. But behind that ordinary scene lies a growing public health concern that experts say is increasingly harming families, especially women and children.

In this episode, host Michael Asharley speaks with journalist Jennifer Ambolley about the hidden dangers of household air pollution and the doctors now pushing to tackle the problem before it becomes deadly. Through the story of one family, the programme explores how a simple medical question — “What fuel do you cook with?” — is changing the way health professionals think about prevention and environmental health.

The episode examines the science behind cooking smoke, the long-term risks linked to charcoal and firewood use, and the difficult economic realities that make cleaner alternatives out of reach for many households. But it also highlights a quieter form of change: growing awareness among families, doctors and communities that clean air should not end outside the home.

Clean Air Report Ghana is a collaboration between New Narratives and leading Ghanaian newsrooms. Funding is provided by the Clean Air Fund which had no say in the reporting.