Gendered preferences in household energy use and price policy responses in Ghana

This study examines the influence of gender on household energy demand in Ghana, highlighting the ongoing struggle against energy poverty despite global shifts towards cleaner energy. In Ghana, 82.5% of households remain energy-poor, predominantly using carbon-heavy traditional energy sources. The research utilizes the Quadratic Almost Ideal Demand System (QUAIDS) model and data from 21,466 households (2012-2023) to explore gender-specific energy consumption patterns across electricity, charcoal/firewood, petrol/diesel, kerosene, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Findings show that female-headed households are more responsive to modern fuels like LPG, while male-headed households prefer traditional fuels such as charcoal and kerosene. The substitution patterns also differ, with male-headed households more inclined to switch between traditional fuels, and female-headed ones moderately substituting between modern and traditional energy sources. These results underscore the need for gender-sensitive energy policies, such as targeted subsidies for modern fuels in female-headed households, which could reduce energy poverty while yielding environmental and health co-benefits like lower indoor air pollution and reduced deforestation.