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More than 32,000 people die annually in Ghana as a result of air pollution, making it one of the leading causes of premature deaths in the country.
The figure represents nearly 14 per cent of all deaths in the country, second only to high blood pressure as a major cause of mortality.
The statistics were revealed at the launch of the National Clean Air Campaign in Accra last Friday to mark Ghana’s 69th Independence Anniversary.
The campaign, organised by the Green Africa Youth Organisation (GAYO), in collaboration with waste worker unions, youth climate networks, municipal authorities and civil society organisations, is being rolled out across all 16 regions. It was on the theme: “Just transition for communities —Building Prosperity, Restoring Hope.”
A statement issued at the event said the country was facing a deepening air pollution crisis with serious public health consequences.
It said the country’s annual average PM2.5 concentration, which were harmful particles in the air, stood at about 35.8 micrograms per cubic metre, which was more than seven times the World Health Organisation (WHO) guideline of five micrograms per cubic metre.
Cities such as Accra and Kumasi, it said, frequently recorded air quality levels above safe limits due to emissions from road transport, household fuels, waste burning and industrial activities.
The Programmes and Operations Director of GAYO, Betty Adjei, said the campaign aimed to raise awareness of the dangers of air pollution and promote better waste management practices.
She said open burning of waste in communities remained a major contributor to air pollution.
Mrs Adjei called on communities to desist from burning refuse and rather ensure proper waste disposal.
She also said there was a need to protect and include informal waste workers in national waste management systems.
The Urban Better Accra Citizens Hub Coordinator, Lord Offei Darko, said clean air was essential to public health and national development.
He said exposure to polluted air had been linked to various cardiovascular diseases and other health complications.
“Clean air is central to our everyday life.
From a health perspective to economic development, it affects every aspect of society,” he said.
Mr Darko said young people were among the most exposed to polluted air, particularly in urban areas.
“We want clean air now.
The efforts being made are commendable, but the process needs to be sped up because many people are constantly exposed to polluted air,” he said.
The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for the La Dade-Kotopon Municipal Assembly (LADMA), Alfredos Nii Anyetei, also underscored the need to strengthen enforcement of sanitation by-laws to improve environmental conditions in communities.
He said that although sanitation officers previously played an active role in enforcing sanitation regulations, their presence had reduced over the years, affecting compliance with sanitation laws.
Mr Anyetei stated that the assembly was dedicated to collaborating with relevant institutions and communities to ensure that sanitation regulations were enforced.
He stated that individuals who flouted sanitation regulations, including indiscriminate dumping and burning of waste, must face the law.
The MCE added that public education and increased publicity on proper waste management practices would help encourage citizens to adopt responsible environmental behaviours.
