Nearly half of all outpatient department (OPD) cases in Ghana are related to poor air quality, Mr. Desmond Appiah, Country Lead of the Clean Air Fund (CAF), said on Wednesday.
“These cases include upper respiratory tract infections, hypertension, diabetes, stroke, and even malaria,” he noted.
Mr. Appiah made the remarks at the launch of a CAF-supported public awareness initiative, led by Infinity 970 under the Breathe Cities programme in Accra.
The global initiative aims to reduce air pollution and carbon emissions by 30 per cent by 2030 to improve public health.
It brought together drivers within the Kwame Nkrumah transport stations to be educated on sources of air pollution and their contribution towards reducing it.
Participants had the opportunity to ask questions from experts.
Mr. Appiah cited a rise in adult-onset asthma in Ghana, developing in individuals over age 20, as a growing concern.
“While asthma can be managed in adulthood, adult-onset asthma may be more persistent and harder to control than childhood-onset asthma,” he explained.
Mr. Appiah also referenced recent research showing that fine particulate matter (PM2.5), one of the most harmful air pollutants, could enter the bloodstream and reach vital organs, even fetuses during pregnancy.
He urged drivers to service their vehicles regularly and wear nose masks on dusty roads.
“This will not only protect your health but also prevent penalties for emitting dirty air,” he said.
Mr. Appiah added that although Ghana suffers from poor air quality, many countries have significantly improved theirs through strong policy interventions.
Mr. Emmanuel Lamptey, a Director at Infinity 970, described air pollution as a growing public health crisis, warning that 99 per cent of the population is exposed to harmful air daily.
“Air pollution is the second biggest health threat globally. While some communities suffer more from dust, others are exposed to toxic fumes from burning waste. We can prevent this,” Mr. Lamptey stated.
As part of the campaign, various communication materials will be produced—such as billboards, radio jingles, TV commercials, and social media content in local languages—to educate the public on air pollution sources and effects.
Community outreach programmes and hotlines will also be introduced for reporting air pollution incidents to local authorities.
“We’re going across all media platforms and encouraging everyone to share the content to raise awareness and drive behavioral change,” Mr. Lamptey said.
According to the World Health Organization, approximately 28,000 premature deaths occur annually in Ghana due to air pollution.
In 2019, the country’s average annual PM2.5 concentration was 11 times higher than WHO’s 2021 recommended levels.
Air pollution is currently the second leading health risk factor for death and disability in Ghana, after malnutrition. Children and adults over 50 are the most vulnerable.
Major contributors to poor air quality in Ghana include open waste burning, use of wood and charcoal for cooking, road transport emissions, slash-and-burn agriculture, energy generation, industrial activity, and accidental fires.
GNA
